PERFORMING OASIS
Location: Siwa, Egypt
In Collaboration with : Eva Jiang
FINALIST for Young Architects Competitions
2023
Nestled within the ancient ruins of Shali, the envisioned performing arts center transcends mere architectural creation, weaving a tapestry that honors both history and innovation. This sanctuary arises from the confluence of sustainability and local architectural heritage, embodying the essence of Siwa’s culture while embracing a vibrant, shared future.
As visitors embark on their journey, the information hub welcomes them with a harmonious blend of antiquity and modernity, seamlessly integrated into the remains of the past. A meandering path then unveils a sequence of interconnected indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, each a curated canvas for Siwa’s historical treasures and contemporary masterpieces. Amid this cultural voyage, a saltwater lake pool stands as a reflective beacon, mirroring the enchanting panorama, guiding the way to a haven of literary treasures, an artisanal boutique, and a café embraced by terraces.
The heart of the center is the theater—a luminal nexus where performance and nature merge in harmonious symphony. Here, an adaptive stage dances between the open sky and the sanctuary of enclosure, becoming a conduit for artistic expressions that resonate across time. Anchored in sustainable wisdom and local architectural finesse, essential facilities stand poised to embrace new modalities of performance, including an equipment repository, an audio/video command center, and storage facilities. Alongside, the VIP lounge awaits distinguished guests, an enclave of elevated experience.
For performers, a discreet entry grants passage to their sanctuary—an intimate realm that encompasses rehearsal spaces and transformation chambers. This vision is not merely a physical structure, but an homage woven by hands that honor nature’s beauty and the treasures of human creativity. Amid echoes of history and aspirations of the present, the performing arts center stands as a vibrant homage—an ode to sustainable coexistence with the past and a canvas for boundless creativity in the future.
