Interplay between architecture and nature

At a ceremony in the Jordanian capital, His Excellency Omar Maani, the mayor of Amman, announced the new King Abdullah II House of Culture & Art created by Zaha Hadid Architects. It is a performing arts and cultural centre that includes a 1600-seat concert theatre, 400-seat theatre, educational centre, rehearsal rooms, and galleries.

At the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, the Greater Amman Municipality is creating a new venue for performing arts and culture in the centre of Amman.

The architectural expression for the new performing arts centre has been inspired by the magnificent ancient city of Petra, explains Zaha Hadid and continues:

- Petra is an astonishing example of the interplay between architecture and nature, as well as the intricate complexity and elegance of natural forms. The rose-colored mountain walls have been eroded, carved and polished to reveal thePetra is an astonishing example of the wonderful interplay between architecture and nature, as well as the intricate astonishing strata of sedimentation. We have applied these principles to articulate the public spaces within the centre, with eroded interior surfaces that extend into the public plaza in front of the building.

www.zaha-hadid.com