Diamiond - CDC complex renovation with future vision of National Dance & Media Centre

China Central Academy Of Fine Arts

Project idea

Located in the centre of Burkina Faso's capital, the CDC Complex can be more than just a dance venue; it has the potential to become a Brukina Faso's Cultural centre, a paradise for the artistic creation of citizens. With good vision and limited resources, the project faces great challenges.

-- Solid geometry --

The original glamorous geometry of Theatre Populaire (now called Green Amphitheatre) caught my attention, however it was left in semi-derelict state. This inspired me to liberate the charm of the venue. So I spread this geometry to the whole site, and shaped the three-dimensional terrain, so that all parts of the site are connected, making the CDC Complex beautiful and attractive in form.

-- Low cost: rather than a one-off process --

Any building that can well used by the public is a good building. It doesn't have to be made of particularly expensive materials. In addition to using local low-cost building materials, I envisioned the design as a step-by-step process rather than a one-time construction. On the premise of planning the future, the most basic functional requirements (primary reconstruction) should be solved first, so that the site can be operated and become a pleasant place for people to come to. Then, economic benefits and subsequent funds should be used to reconstruct the site according to the design steps. In this way, people can use the site with a vision for the future while reducing the cost pressure, so that the economic benefits and future blueprint complement each other.

-- Future vision: dance, arts and new media --
As a large cultural site in the capital city of Burkina Faso, I hope this site will bring a positive cultural impact to the city. It should be first a dance base, then music and art. I also raised the idea of new media art, especially video media. As a performing art, dance can be transmitted by visual media, such as video and music. The idea of the new media center will be more conducive to the dissemination of dance art in the future and bring positive cultural influence to the society in other artistic fields.

Project description

-- Design overview and highlights --

The original architectural form is used to cut the site in plane, extending to the whole site, and the three-dimensional geometry is used to shape the site. Simultaneously, these geometric partitions and landscape are used to divide the venue into four parts: music & art district, art commerce district, dance square and Green Amphitheatre. The streamlined relationship between the CDC complex and Green Amphitheatre has been re-planned, with a dance square placing between the two. Using the landscape and slopes, the square is divided into different dance spaces, alleviating the problem of insufficient practice venues, at the same time can be more conducive to the spread of art.

The fundamental principle of this design is not to demolish and to make good use of the original buildings. In the process of reconstruction, partial structural changes will be made to the building to meet the needs. The target is make the reconstruction as small as possible and as profitable as possible, satisfying the function while showing the form beauty of site.

Green Amphitheatre stage renovation is the highlight of the initial renovation. The stage will be raised and extended to the auditorium, and the exit route will be rearranged so that the original backstage building can be preserved and make it easier for further construction. The final stage will reach 12*22m and 264m2, which will also enlarge the backstage area. The number of seats has been reduced from 2,500 to 2,000, but the view has been optimized to improve the viewing experience. The flow of visitors has also been optimized, with changes to the flow of exits and entrances. And at the entrance I make use of the slopes to plan a pedestrian landscape.

-- Necessity of media concept --

The world is changing from word-centered to image-centered,the value of visual culture is standing out. The emphasis on media, video and video clip education is conducive to the dissemination of dance culture, the strengthening of social education function, and the presentation of Burkina Faso's image and culture to the world through the Internet, which will have a positive effect on CDC agencies and Burkina Faso's society.


-- Time Span --
The whole design envisages three stages, which is a plan that can contain the time span. The drawings mainly describe the current first stage of reconstruction.
Stage 1:
- Low cost restoration (Main materials: earth, brick, cement mortar, canvas,steel, wood, waste materials such as tires)
- Add two diamond-shaped slopes - Landscape
- Dance venues
- Available for Graffiti
- Interaction with stall groups
- Introduce a small-scale economy - Use stalls for business, dance, music and painting to increase the vitality of the CDC complex
- Initially achieve the target function.
Stage 2:
Optimize based on Stage1
- Continue spreading the form to the whole site
- Further expansion - Detail design of the theatre landscape and expansion of the backstage area
- Arts services expansion
- Cafeteria
- Library
- Commercial buildings
- Business body perfection, commerce transformation
- Add landscape design, including - new landscape areas
- parking lot
- Landscape design that works well with the nearby waste disposal site.
- Start introducing media system into site
Stage 3:
- Perfect the exterior and interior design of building groups
- Perfect the landscape design
-Complete media system

CDC complex turn into National Dance & New Media Centre
· Social & cultural influence: art and education, at the same time possessing commercial value
· Perfect landscape
· Landmark image of Burkina Faso

DETAILS

①From the documents provided by the CDC, we can see the wisdom and creativity of the people of Burkina Faso. This vitality will be taken into account in the design and retained, which will help save costs. At the same time, for an art venue, these creativity is closely related to the place. The canvas shed will also be incorporated as a low-cost element that can provide temporary open space. These canopies not only provide shade for visitors in the large park, but also serve as a place for artistic exchange: stalls for the sale of works of art, or open spaces for the exchange of music, dance and creation, welcoming visitors.

②Two diamond-shaped slopes are placed on the main road and will affect people's paths. Four directions of one single slope have a suggestive effect to the site. Several slopes impact with each other, which provides the site more possibility to be used. The main slope is elevated to 1.5m-2m, and steps are placed to form an small amphitheater, dividing the square into several activity space, which can be used as a dance venue to alleviate the shortage of art space in the park. The slope also has the following functions:landscape,dance venues ,available for Graffiti and interact with stall groups. In the second and third steps of reconstruction, the landscape of the slope will be perfected, with the use of lights and plants to enhance the aesthetic. The two diamond-shaped slopes will be intersection of the park.

③Raise the stage and extend it to the auditorium, also raise the walls around the stage. The raised height is 1550mm. After the reconstruction, the distance between the auditorium and the stage is 2 m. Backstage areas where at the both sides of the stage are also enlarged with the expansion of stage. Access to the stage is also raised, so then dug down 1m to isolate a space, where can be used as storage or preparation room.
The entrance of amphitheatre has been optimized, the two original entrances below the staircase will serve as secondary entrances. Centralized streamline at the entrance is beneficial to administration and show operation.
Planning paths on the slopes may be conducive to dispersal of people, while using natural resources to showcase the site’s charm and potentially provide new options for operations.

Technical information

Low cost materials: earth, brick, cement mortar, canvas, steel, wood, waste materials such as tires.
The expansion building mostly use Brick and Concrete Structure.
Canvas Sheds in different scale is used for stalls and temporary space.
To implement media system, as well as Smart Administration, a well-built fast network system is needed.