Taipei’s new Performing Arts Centre is finally finished, late and over budget, but, as architect Rem Koolhaas said, ‘well worth it’
- The building, inspired by a spicy hotpot, was seven years late and over budget, bankrupting the contractor and angering Taipei’s mayor
- But, as architect Rem Koolhaas said, it was worth the effort, and the building has a spectacular line-up for its opening season
The outward appearance of the new Taipei Performing Arts Centre (TPAC) invites comparisons with a number of homely dishes popular in Taiwan. Some call it “Preserved egg and tofu”, others call it “Oden”, a broth often served with a boiled egg and fishcake. Its architect Rem Koolhaas says he was inspired by the spicy hotpot in the nearby night market.
But for a long time, the startling, whimsical downtown venue designed by OMA was such a headache to build that it was only likened to other cultural venues plagued by delays and overspends such as the Taipei Dome stadium and Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District.
After all, it bankrupted its contractor, regularly sent the mayor into conniptions and the construction time was three times longer than expected.
It took 10 years to build, but the NT$6.7 billion (US$226 million) landmark is finally completed and the official opening date is set for August 7.
“It is worth it for sure. Every single drop of perspiration has been worth it. We believe in it,” said OMA founding partner Koolhaas, who co-designed the playful agglomeration of geometric shapes with managing partner David Gianotten.