Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Performance center in Marina Centre, Singapore
Two glass domes rise above the waterfront, carrying triangulated aluminum shades distributed across their curved surfaces. The structure contains multiple performance spaces of varying capacity, all set beneath the glazed shells. Interior volumes combine timber cladding with acoustic panels in auditoriums designed for clarity and sound distribution. Public foyers and promenades surround the halls, opening onto outdoor terraces overlooking Marina Bay. The site covers over 645,000 square feet (60,000 square meters), connecting engineered stages with natural water edges.
The Singapore government announced the project in the early 1990s as part of its effort to diversify the economy beyond trade and finance. An international competition led to the selection of a design by DP Architects and Michael Wilford & Partners in 1994. Construction began in 1996 but faced delays due to technical challenges in installing the sunshades and acoustic adjustments in the performance halls. After six years of work, the opening took place in October 2002, cementing Singapore's status as a regional cultural center.
The 1,800-seat Concert Hall attracts the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and international ensembles, while the 2,000-seat Theatre hosts world-class opera, ballet and musicals. Smaller studios within the complex support experimental productions by local artists, strengthening Singapore's position as a performing arts hub in Southeast Asia. The center organizes year-round free concerts and public programs that make classical and contemporary forms accessible. Its presence has transformed Marina Bay into a cultural district where residents and visitors gather regularly.
Most concerts and theater performances take place in the evening, with matinee options available on weekends. The outdoor theater at the back frequently offers performances at no charge, and the performing arts library is open to the public. Visitors reach the site via Esplanade or City Hall MRT stations. Restaurants within the complex serve patrons before and after shows, and bookshops sell scores and theater editions. Wheelchair seating and elevators facilitate access to all floors.
The aluminum shades do not move mechanically; instead, engineers positioned each of the 7,056 individual panels at a unique angle based on sun path studies to admit natural light while reducing heat gain. The arrangement creates a shifting pattern of shadows inside the spaces throughout the day without requiring moving parts or energy consumption.
Location: Marina Centre
Inception: 2002
Architects: DP Architects
Floors above the ground: 4
Address: 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981
Phone: +6568288377
Website: http://esplanade.com
GPS coordinates: 1.28972,103.85528
Latest update: December 1, 2025 08:29
Postmodern architecture emerged in the 1970s as a response to the rigid principles of modernism, reintroducing color, ornament, and historical references into contemporary building design. The movement evolved over decades, producing structures that challenge conventional forms and experiment with different materials and surfaces. These buildings demonstrate varied approaches to design, from playful facades to complex geometric constructions, showing how architects employ new technologies while engaging with historical stylistic elements. The collection includes cultural institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Casa da Música in Porto, public buildings like Seattle Central Library and Almere City Hall, and religious structures such as the Jubilee Church in Rome. Other examples include the SIS Building in London, Dancing House in Prague, and Niterói Contemporary Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro. The Louvre Pyramid in Paris and the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus show different interpretations of postmodern principles. The Piazza d'Italia in New Orleans with its colored colonnades and the Portland Building with its decorated facade represent early postmodern works in the United States.
This collection brings together major works by architect Moshe Safdie, whose practice is distinguished by particular attention to natural light, outdoor spaces, and the integration of buildings into their surroundings. From Montreal to Singapore, through Jerusalem and several American cities, his projects demonstrate an approach that seeks to reconcile contemporary needs with respect for local contexts. Among the featured works are Habitat 67 in Montreal, an experimental residential complex composed of stacked concrete modules offering each unit its own terrace, and the Marina Bay Sands complex in Singapore with its three towers connected by a 340-meter terrace. The collection also includes several museums such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Other projects like the Salt Lake City Public Library, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, or the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex in India illustrate the diversity of architectural programs entrusted to Safdie throughout his career.
Singapore combines modern architecture with cultural diversity within a compact area, providing photographers with varied settings just a few subway stations apart. The city features futuristic sites such as the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, standing 25 to 50 meters tall (82 to 164 feet), Marina Bay Sands with its 200-meter (656-foot) high rooftop, and the Helix Bridge, a pedestrian walkway designed to resemble a DNA double helix. The historic districts contrast with these modern structures. Chinatown retains its Chinese temples and arcade houses, Little India its spice markets and colorful facades, while Haji Lane in Kampong Glam lines with independent boutiques and wall murals in a narrow alley. The Merlion Park at Marina Bay, with its 8.6-meter-long (28 feet) statue blending lion and fish, remains the most photographed symbol of the city-state. Sentosa’s beaches, accessible by cable car, add a coastal element to this dense urban landscape.
Former Indian National Army Monument
158 m
The Cenotaph, Singapore
175 m
Esplanade Park
144 m
Esplanade Bridge
266 m
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore
292 m
One Raffles Link
315 m
Jubilee Bridge
216 m
Tan Kim Seng Fountain
192 m
Lim Bo Seng Memorial
279 m
Library@Esplanade
80 m
DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre
124 m
Piano Sidewalk
98 m
Annexe Studio
159 m
Esplanade Theatre Studio
121 m
Pororo Park
224 m
Esplanade Theatre
61 m
Singtel Waterfront Theatre
223 m
SG Marina Square
217 m
Seeds by Han Soi Por
121 m
Esplanade Recital Studio
70 m
Cloud Nine: Raining
180 m
Water Cycle (kinetic sculpture)
295 m
Makan Angin
153 m
Piano Sidewalk
98 m
Scenic viewpoint
100 m
Esplanade
23 m
Happy Family of Five
72 m
Stamford Bridge
257 mReviews
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