Located on the eastern edge of Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, the Xiqu Centre is intended to serve as a cultural centre for the support of the theatre and the production, research and training of this art form. For this purpose, the total area of the centre covers 29,000 m². In total, the Xiqu Centre consists of a large opera with 1,100 seats, a teahouse with 200 seats, a small theatre with 400 seats and many seminar rooms. The generous design and open planning of the centre combines art and education as well as a dynamic public realm.

The Xiqu Centre comprises eight floors with an additional basement. Its curved façade is clad throughout with metal panels that extend around the entire building in a wavy pattern. The dynamic design of the panels creates the image of a divided stage curtain. The opening of the curtain represents the entrance to the living atrium.

The design and height of the building faced the architects with several challenges. The substructure of the building must be able to handle wind loads over 2.5 kPa on the upper floors and still allow the desired façade design. In addition, the entrance of the building is exposed to the weather throughout the year due to its open design.

In order to achieve the best possible result, the architects chose a proven solution: a drywall construction using AQUAPANEL^® Cement Boards. AQUAPANEL^® Cement Board Outdoor was used for both the external façade and ceilings. The robustness and impact resistance of the material makes it ideal for use in greater heights.

AQUAPANEL^® Cement Board Outdoor can also adapt to the curved design. It can be bend up to a radius of 3 m at full board size, allowing a wide range of designs like the curvilinear façade of the Xiqu Centre.

Inside the entrance hall, the weather resistance of the material is also an important concern, due to the open design. Therefore, AQUAPANEL^® Cement Board Outdoor was installed for the interior walls and ceilings. Its 100% water resistance and mould- and mildew resistant properties make it an ideal solution for the Xiqu Centre.

Together with fire-resistant plasterboards, the AQUAPANEL^® Cement Board Indoor was used indoors in order to reach the required fire resistance class and acoustics. The high impact resistant of the board was also a special criterion due to the highly frequented public areas within the Xiqu Centre.

Thanks to the several advantages of AQUAPANEL^® Cement Boards, the unique design of the Xiqu Centre could be implemented fast and Hong Kong was enriched with a new landmark and a gateway to the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Knauf Aquapanel^® can help take all of your concepts to higher peaks. Get in touch to see what we can do for you.