Beijing Morning Star Ballet Foundation: A Symphony of Architecture and Ballet

Winston Yeo's Innovative Design Transforms Ballet School into a Spatial Performance

The inspiration for the design came from the often misunderstood nature of ballet in Asia. Ballet is often associated with femininity and perceived as a weak art form. Yet, anyone who has attempted a pirouette knows that ballet requires strength and discipline. This dichotomy inspired Yeo to create a design that tells the story of ballet and strives for a sense of elevation through inanimate devices. The design is a didactic journey that explores the on-stage appearance of effortless grace and the off-stage reality of discipline and resolute strength.

The unique properties of the design lie in its spatial performance. The entry, or Act One, features an airy sculptural spectacle that serves as a stage, a stair, and a passage. Act Two, the studio proper, exerts a visual weight through the use of materials, light, and proportions. The design is a seamless sculptural passage, with the stair geometry primarily defined by two pairs of rails. The surface between the rails adopts a slight curvature, giving lightness to the form. The walls and inner rail are finished in Burnt Sienna white, adding a touch of warmth against the cooler concrete.

The design was realized using glass reinforced concrete panels (GRC) for the ceiling, walls, and stair. The ceiling and walls were finished in a matt emulsion paint, while a gloss version was specified for the inner stair rail for greater impact resistance. The design works as a performance that starts across the street, with the walls and ceiling blending together into a spiral. As one enters the space, the spiral drops off to reveal an empty reception desk. The top and inside edge of the table form a groove that becomes the stair railing, guiding the eyes back out towards the window.

The design project started in 2013 and was completed in 2014 in Beijing, China. The initial research subjects were "ballet" the art form and "ballet school" the venue. The research evolved into the life of dancers, leading to a new admiration for their strength and discipline. The design faced several challenges, including the assembly of the GRC panels and the realization of the scheme, which joins two fire compartments together due to the stair.

The Beijing Morning Star Ballet Foundation was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The design is a testament to Yeo's innovative approach to architecture and his ability to create spaces that tell a story and engage with their users on a deeper level.