National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Kaohsiung

The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts is a landmark cultural destination in southern Taiwan and one of the most ambitious performing arts complexes in the world. Located beside the expansive Weiwuying Metropolitan Park in Fengshan District, the center spans nearly 10 hectares, with a sweeping, wave-like design inspired by the canopy of local banyan trees. Dutch architect Francine Houben envisioned a structure that merges seamlessly with its subtropical surroundings, offering a fence-free plaza and 24-hour accessibility.

Inside, the center houses four state-of-the-art indoor performance venues: the 2,236-seat Opera House, the 1,981-seat Concert Hall, a 1,209-seat Playhouse, and a 434-seat Recital Hall. Each space is carefully designed to meet world-class acoustic and staging standards, with flexible configurations and striking interior aesthetics. A standout feature is the Concert Hall’s massive pipe organ-Asia’s largest-crafted by the renowned German firm Klais Orgelbau. Outdoors, an open-air theater connects to the park’s central lawn, offering capacity for up to 30,000 people and serving as a stage for festivals, concerts, and large-scale public events.

More than just a performance venue, the center is a community gathering space that integrates culture, recreation, and sustainability. Visitors can stroll the rooftop garden, relax under the soaring canopy, or attend an eclectic lineup of local and international productions. With its fusion of design excellence and public accessibility, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts redefines how the arts can live and breathe in everyday urban life.