The Battle to Build Taiwan’s Strangest Building

It's over budget, a decade under construction and one of Asia's most important cultural buildings.
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This video contains paid promotion for Bluebeam.
Additional footage and images courtesy of OMA, Chris Stowers, Iwan Baan, Shephotoerd Co. Photography, ABC News and Sky News.
Clarification: The information that the contractor was bankrupted by the Taipei Performing Arts Centre (TPAC) was sourced from the South China Morning Post. According to other sources, the contractor was bankrupted for multiple reasons. The project was originally scheduled to finish in 2013 but the timeline was pushed back due to site conditions discovered after the competition phase, according to OMA.
Correction: In Taiwanese currency, the budget of the TPAC went from 4.8 billion TWD to 6 billion TWD, according to OMA.
Research sources:
www.scmp.com/?module=masthead...
www.dezeen.com/2009/01/28/tai...
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[@meng-hsuanlee8543]

As a former theater person in Taiwan, a lot of my friends still in the business hate the building. The sphere theater in particular is not design with practicality in mind, especially in terms of sound because anyone who knows theater design knows that sound bounces off a sphere irregularly and creates echos. (Think how the Prince Albert Hall had to be redesigned bc the sound is just horrible.) So to remedy this tiny speakers need to be installed in the balconies and sound is transmitted through mics which defeats the whole purpose of live theater. In addition, there is a “public loop” in which anyone can get a free ticket to “tour” the theater space which I think it’s well intentions by the OMA team as a “democratic” act. But it goes through back stage areas even during rehearsals and performances so that tourists can peek behind the curtains, and actors and technicians are constantly bothered by tourists and they feel like caged animals being gazed upon by random people through glasses and literal cage-like fences. It’s highly disruptive to theater practitioners. All in all, this building is more image (which is cool to be fair) than practicality.

[@Tokru86]

I also wondered about the description of the sphere theatre. Nothing is special about it. The seating is exactly the same like in any normal movie theatre with a very slight curve to the rows. The stage is in the same place etc. Nobody will have a better or even different experience with this configuration. Only the shape of the room is somewhat uncommon, but, as you described, creates other serious problems. There is a reason theatre rooms almost always have those strange shapes with edges and uneven surfaces. This building and the sphere theatre look really nice indeed, but as so often with prestige architectural projects form was the main concern. Function not so much.

[@ricksantana1016]

Well I’am sure that there will be some sort of “OMA-security” measures and perimeter detail, that will be designated to keep the tourists at a safe distance from the performances if you will..

[@station240]

I was wondering how the acoustics for the Globe Playhouse (and the building in general) would function. Too much flat surfaces with metal, no fabric treatments to absorb echos and other noise. Those square opera boxes at the back look a lot like waveguides, and I have no doubt behave like them too. Could be interesting to see what could be done to improve the sound, even gluing fabric to the walls would do some good.

[@m.febriangiovanni9446]

thank you for the insight. i'm an architect and i'm always amazed by the works of starchitects of their projects but sometimes it feels too detached from reality and problems that exist. your insight as the user is always welcomed when we do designing works

[@Ottee2]

The tourists could be integrated into the theatre experience; becoming part of the performance. Whizzing and whirring; screaming and cursing, oh yes. 😛

[@TienLing]

Love the subject; however, unfortunately, the "nightlife" video clips at 3:12, 3:24, and 3:33 are not from Taipei or Taiwan. The first one looks like Indonesia (edit: it's from the Philippines), the second looks like UAE (with DH currency on the menu) , and the third one probably India (Indian language road sign, driving on the left).

[@moos5221]

Good observation.

[@emmy7437]

its not Indonesia, jollibeee and lots of pawnshops thats ph 😂😂

[@lancealdeosa]

The first clip is actually in Cavite, Philippines 😅

[@TienLing]

@@emmy7437 Thanks! Happy to learn about places.

[@TienLing]

@@lancealdeosa Thanks! I've edited the original comment for correction.

[@Jester66446]

I'm not an expert in architecture but this channel has recently changed my mind about buildings. At this point, I think it's a hobby learning from your channel. 😅

[@TheB1M]

We're so pleased to hear that!! Our whole mission is to get people to more aware of this incredible industry - www.theb1m.com/about

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Same this channel is really interesting 😄

[@SomewhereInTheSolarSystem]

@@TheB1M Thank you for the great content. This is indeed an interesting building, with good, elaborated interior spaces, but it's just another generic, irrelevant architecture, a complete failure as a urban landmark, that was the whole point of the client's demand. For example, the MGS Sphere in Las Vegas is way more relevant as a urban landmark. This time, OMA missed BIG the entire country expectations.

[@vitalz91]

Same here! ❤

[@ikmal63h17]

Hahaha same m8, architecture quite intriguing for me

[@markadler8968]

A prefect example of too many people involved causing too many problems. An over designed, over engineered and completely unnecessary testament to an architects ego. The people who actually built that structure will get no credit and only blame for delays/mistakes while the buffoons who designed/engineered it take no accountability for their endless mistakes/delays that they caused and only bask in the glory of the finished product.

[@rogerevans15]

As a building engineer I can completely agree. The maintenance, problems and later costs can be terrible for these vanity projects. Also a city is not an art gallery, and tastes vary.

[@isabellind1292]

The globe theater looks better from the inside but from the outside, it just looks gimmicky.

[@RestrictedHades]

basically the space shuttle of buildings

[@davidliu1167]

as a project manager with background in architecture, i completed agreed with your comments there, the initial budget was probably undercooked, and main contractor clearly underestimates the building complexity when securing the bid causing them to go bankrupt.

[@ianyang736]

🖐I love this channel​, I love architecture, so as someone from Taipei I was excited to watch the video, but I wouldn't say this building is the absolute icon of Taiwanese culture, it's just a part of the government's plan to boost culture within Taiwan, I recommend checking out other architectural theaters like the Wei Wu Ying, National Taichung Theatre or Taipei Music Center. This really isn't as big of a deal to Taiwanese people as the video makes it seem, and it has nothing to do with politics or Pelosy. Plus why the Indian clips, it's not even in Taipei, Shilin Night Market does not look like that, thinking Taiwan is the same as India or other countries is low-key racist. And it certainly really did not 'nearly break Taipei'

[@kaojane1]

facts, can't lie I feel the same way

[@taytoyaddic7ed881]

Yeah, while I'm glad Taiwan is getting some exposure, the link to politics etc. is a bit clickbaity for my taste. The 3 theaters you mentioned are great and more refined than Koohlaas' one. Architecture with protruding potato is very 90's.

[@ianyang736]

@@taytoyaddic7ed881 agreed.

[@Peizxcv]

It shows how little success those other vanity projects have in attracting attention to their city. And people in the west don't care about Taiwan, it's too Chinese for them unlike ally Japan and Korea or exotic India, Thailand, Turkey. And yes, he used videos of Philippines, UAE, and India as fill in for Taipei.

[@manuelka15]

thank you very much for your insights! I too agree that it looks a bit outdated for this century

[@chretienli6405]

Love the B1M but I think there’s some nuances they miss. Rem Koolhaas, the chief architect, is world renowned but also consistently critiqued for striking, “artistic” architecture that is largely impractical for actual human use. The same can be said here, you’d think this new fancy theater would offer a premium experience, it has all the bells and whistles from cantilevers, globe design, materials etc. but if you look up google reviews for Taipei Performing Arts Center, it has low reviews because the seats suck!! You do all that but miss one of the most important part of the viewing experience, seats. You try to create something fancy and media-attention grabbing but can’t get basics right. Interesting case of how architecture intersects with human-use, or lack thereof

[@dnguyen9747]

comfortable seats are for the little people. This is high culture. Discomfort makes it more worthwhile. Rich people have easy access to comfort. It is discomfort that they will pay for. You need to understand your customers.

[@Peizxcv]

The building is a vanity project to promote Taiwan and this video is political project to promote Taiwan

[@gutfriedvonguttenberg5614]

acustic is horrobile too the sphere is just fancy

[@earlysda]

B1M is not very informed about Taiwan, calling it a "tiny nation" that needs help to be "legitimitized".

[@asdfssdfghgdfy5940]

For good or for worse (I think probably good) B1M tends to stay out of any negatives and just sort of reports on what was done. I say good because for every project they cover, if you are a local you know how it was an absolute shitshow with delays and extraordinary amounts of wasted money. Plus a heap on unfulfilled promises. I kind of prefer to just get a straight to the point video on what actually happened and not have to hear the negatives.

[@jmpersic]

It's sad that the design could not have incorporated even a hint of Taiwan's stunning cultural and artistic heritage. But then again, I wouldn't expect that from Rem Koolhaas. The guy is a trip. "Beauty isn't what I'm primarily interested in." --Rem Koolhaas

[@Hydrazine1000]

I don't understand your point... @2:52 _"The first thing they did was to decide to keep the night market [...]"_ The whole implementation started with keeping a very important social/cultural phenomenon intact. Or were you expecting a cultural nod specifically in some aspect of the building itself? As for Koolhaas' quote: When an architect states that beauty isn't a primary concern, it means that something else is: Function. Similar to the concept of "Form follows function". And that makes complete sense to me. What use is a gorgeous looking building if it's unfit for its intended purpose?

[@churblefurbles]

@@Hydrazine1000 cope

[@AD-gl2wi]

@@Hydrazine1000 Fair point

[@chianchen776]

@@Hydrazine1000 that’s interesting, other people say the issue with him is the impracticality in his works.

[@Aaron-ge8sf]

@@Hydrazine1000 at the end, the function nor the form form did not really worked out.

[@ECGProductions092]

That's an awesome building, I love how you can tell the architects had a lot of freedom

[@adoatero5129]

They had freedom? Why did they draw a visually boring building then? Yes, yes, it's somewhat strange, but still boring, as if it was drawn by a robot. But that describes most of today's architecture, doesn't it?

[@JayP3171]

​@@adoatero5129 pretty unique looking building. But sydney opera looks way better

[@andrewlyon9292]

When I first moved to Taipei, someone told me that it was a particle accelerator 😂

[@MaximSupernov]

🤣🤣🤣

[@parheliaxd]

Thanks for great documentary about Taipei Performing Arts Center, a few years ago I walked pass it almost every week but have no idea what the interior is actually like. However one thing to note for this video: the two footage of night markets during 3:12-3:29 are definitely not recorded in Taiwan. The first one has a sign of Jollibee, I believe it's actually in Phillipines. (Jollibee opened in Taiwan only during 1986-1988.) I can't judge the second one but from the languages on the store sign and the way woman dresses, I believe it should be somewhere in North Africa. Also the building is nowhere near "broke" Taipei, both financially and physically. 😅

[@amstrdm9599]

I also noticed that. The second is Marrakech. A bit weird.

[@Music5362]

A design only an architect could love.

[@jonathanljohnson]

That's what I thought, unique, but quite unattractive.

[@Reallycoolguy1369]

I actually really like the way it looks. I would love to go to Taiwan and see Taipei 101, the theater, and get some good street food.

[@MahlenMorris]

I'm no architect, but I think seeing theater in a space like that would be thrilling. While I do suspect the experience of it from the outside is initially jarring, the interior experience seems really lovely. And nearby street food afterwards? Yes, please.

[@ElinaBenado]

An architect's dream, but an engineer's nightmare, lol.

[@PokeAmp]

and the strucktural enginere to hate lol

[@jollyrogerq]

As a former professional stage technician I must say what a beautiful design. I would love to work in that space. Excellent work

[@station240]

You might want to read the comment elsewhere on this video from "a former theater person in Taiwan" about the Dome Theater and the rest of the layout. Sound problems and constant interruptions by tourists in the back stage areas.

[@counterfit5]

​@@station240yeah, it doesn't seem like having random public coming through your tech spaces is a great idea

[@sknkwrksowner]

Mr. Mills, thank you a metric ton for all you do with B1M! I discovered the channel during the pandemic and have shared links countless times with friends that, like me, have always had a deep soulful connection to design and architecture but never worked in the field. Deeper thanks for your mental health 2 part video as well! Continued success in all your endeavors!

[@g.paudra8942]

Another example of Architect dream is Engineer nightmare.

[@klaudelu18]

Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. Stunning architecture! Cheers, B1M!

[@urixllll2802]

I'm obsessed with this channel, so entertaining yet comprehensible videos!

[@TheB1M]

Ah thanks so much!! Learning should be entertaining.

[@ahualiu9096]

it's nice to hear the project's concept such as the discuss of the local context. But it's a bit awkward that some clips of night market is not from Taiwan in this video. (3:12 to 3:50)

[@Random-mq2cu]

LETS GO THE B1M UPLOADED, LOVE THE CONTENT

[@DanielWen-bx9vk]

I am happy your video called Taiwan an island "nation" this time. I am the local and I visited the building you introduced before. That building is fantastic for its sphere theater and it is a popular tour site for visitors. They could visit the Shilin night market after enjoying a theatre because the two sites are very close.

[@minniehuang411]

你也是台灣人？終於在這個頻道找到同胞了🤣

[@taytoyaddic7ed881]

@@minniehuang411 應該不只你們兩個吧

[@ZolaClyde]

Wow! Very cool to come across someone who’s a local and has seen the building in person. Everything about the Taipei Performing Arts Center is amazing, it’s gorgeous. I love that it’s in the heart of an existing, lively, nighttime marketplace and they made sure to integrate and use the marketplace to the Arts Center’s advantage. I’d love to see it someday! It’s really unique and interesting, especially with the night oriented life and marketplace. ♡ from Massachusetts. :)

[@Peizxcv]

What's the use? They aren't going to fight for you and you won't either so all you have is delusion of grandeur until reality hits. You'll either become a good Chinese when mainland comes or a bad Asian in the West if you left

[@neil-cheng]

原來還有其他台灣人有看這頻道😂

[@yay-cat]

That’s a nice and distinctive building that I reckon will be an icon for the city. Like it’s weird enough to be really memorable but also seems so nicely integrated in the local city district (especially with the public access loop). Would love to visit it one day!

[@harrycornelius373]

As always, such a beautiful written, engaging and informative tube. Thanks for letting me discover this great building

[@benn.i]

I love your detailed view on such stories!

[@MOBXOJ]

This channel never fails to deliver

[@KaiBurley]

This is an amazing design! I was not sold on the exterior at first, but seeing how the building is configureable and how it fits in to its location has made me a fan! The possibility of having a 100m long 2 sided theater is genius.

[@yutinghsi]

I live near this art center, and I also go to the free visiting corridor. This route is very atmospheric. You can see the interior structure of the theater through the glass of the aisle. Although I don't understand architectural art, I still think it is very cool.

[@loliloloso]

謝謝！

[@JustRaiHere_2023]

Now this is a wonderful way to start my day. Spent my early years involved in theater and would have loved to have had a facility like this.

[@vladeckk21]

I'm normally not fond of these vanity architecture projects, but this building seems quite functional and beautiful. I love the public path that lets people see in.

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

This building was worth both the wait and worth every penny spent. Thank you for sharing this. I'm subscribed!

[@thejokerking9268]

I wonder how the locals think of this project instead of just the architects point of view

[@moos5221]

You might be interested to create a video about the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. Very interesting modern opera building on top of a historic building and a controversial funding and construction period, obviously with way out of control costs.

[@joekanicki5306]

That was a great video! I have enjoyed all your content, so keep on keepin on!

[@alvinshuh7449]

Huge fan of the channel here, some of the b-real around the 3:22 mark definitely is NOT Taiwan haha. Just a heads up. Keep up the great content. Source: Taiwanese-American Dual Citizen

[@difrancogavin717]

Awesome arts center really love how they are able to show anyone and inspire anyone to become a part of the process with the simple walkway through the whole building

[@_Breakdown]

Thanks for creating a great video Fred & crew! 😎👍🏼 Creative structure (a little bit messy for my taste). Outstanding work on the video though!

[@MissouriMatt54]

Thank you for the video.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Excellent work! Much obliged, friend.

[@matt007]

I’m actually going to Taipei in a few months. I’ll definitely have to check out this building.

[@daveandrew589]

I would swear that the architectural profession is having a worldwide contest to see who can torch the most money by building the ugliest possible buildings imaginable.

[@ForcefighterX2]

Saw a video of your channel a couple of weeks back. Now I saw another one. I am hooked. 😬

[@bigvangang2972]

Quite daring today topic but architecture ain't waitin on nobody

[@ChainsawFPV]

Great FPV shots!

[@Merennulli]

I am really curious how they use the combined space. I know it's meant to allow for experimental performances, but it's hard to visualize how that would make use of the space.

[@BaybieK]

Stunning!

[@jovada]

The curved windows and the free visitor's tour via escalators are so similar to the MAS in Antwerp...

[@Andrew19ao]

Its a great building that could exist anywhere in the world and look exactly the same.

[@MarcsProductions]

Ye

[@thomasdight1267]

🇹🇼 is a beautiful country

[@skyscraperfan]

A major public building just $80 million over budget? The Sydney Opera House was 14 times as expensive as planned.

[@limjiunnyuh5202]

Can you also do a video about Agora Garden? I am a huge fan of both that structure and B1M, would love to see you talk about it! Thank you!

[@mix3ry199]

Have been there last week, there´s a nice little restaurant in it. Lot´s of people come there for IG etc.

[@jbl3792]

Cool

[@rudyrudelaemmerhirt]

I toured through Taipei back in 2015, I hope I can book another gig back their so I can play this space!

[@baldassarealessi1007]

Thank you video brilliant compliment.

[@shohosoi2483]

i still remembered when i got off the station beside the building to go to shilin night market but was confused at the sight of the building and how it managed to uphold itself

[@TheBlindGeek]

I would love to see a video on the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík!

[@joshv97]

I was fascinated by the structure when i got to Taiwan in 2018 and lived in the neighborhood for 4 years so i got to see the final progressions but didnt get the chance to see inside before i left

[@bibekdas5595]

Love you bro

[@Simon-zan]

Cool that you got an interview with Rem for the video

[@toyotagaz]

It looks amazing

[@awesomeness87878787]

Taipei City government is pretty rich. It was never going to make the city broke lol

[@XDarkGreyX]

Looking at the interior makes me feel like I am playing Portal 2.

[@bernadmanny]

''Cave Johnson here...'' I just replayed it last week 🙂👍

[@rhodrifox]

I went onsite on a school visit in 2021, and the brief conversation we had with the TPAC managers about how the project's was executed was beyond any logic in terms of its management. In my opinion the sheer amount of inefficient management of time and use of resources the architect and the building firm got away with for the sake of creative freedom was staggering, I am genuinely convinced something far more beautiful and Iconic could have been achieved to a lesser cost and investment of time.

[@davidejames]

Absolutely Beautiful building Tapie is one of my favourite cities in the world, B1M could you do a video on Taipei 101 please. 😊

[@willcwhite]

It's nice to see a video about an arts space.

[@kumbackquatsta]

take a hit of fentanyl every time fred says "democratized"

[@bankerdave888]

It's beautiful and unique!

[@chrislethbridge1759]

Interesting to compare this building with the new arts complex Factory International (now renamed ‘Aviva Studios’) recently opened in Manchester. Also a flexible set of spaces designed by OMA, also over budget and overdue!

[@philrabe910]

Oh boy- a combined multi theatre single backstage- what could possibly go wrong? (Theatre technician with 30 years exp)

[@d.b.cooper1]

Dare I say it kinda looks like a modern town hall/local government office building or library we see in the UK, or even a new university building. Total overkill of design & building imo.

[@Jimmyjack4472]

reminds me a bit of the living mall from its external design. that was demolished recently in Taipai

[@tobis.4037]

Taiwan is such a beautiful country ❤

[@takuan650]

What a deep comment, Bravo.

[@tobis.4037]

@@takuan650 ?

[@regenen]

One of my most favorite countries, together with Tibet and Shinjang.

[@Clarity520]

Lmao

[@MaximSupernov]

@@regenen You forgot to include Hong Kong and Macau 😂

[@Josh-yr7gd]

This building reminds me of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. It too has an angular box shaped theater cantilevered from one of the sides. And another theater is inside a round top hat shaped structure, which is supported by a single column standing in the water. Likewise, the Rock Hall's design is not constrained.

[@brickitect420]

Lovely building and noble goals, but did anyone else notice the stairs underneath what looks like an escalator, at 10:00?

[@NeilABliss]

Koolhaus projects always amaze me!

[@filanfyretracker]

its good that they kept the night market, I know nothing about this city but things like that market are the real life of a city at ground level. Hub like venues benefit from local life as well.

[@florboelaert9725]

Maybe you can talk about the reconstruction of the highway around Antwerp? The biggest infrastruction project in Belgium of the past 20 years!

[@EdgyNumber1]

I miss Taipei 🇹🇼

[@jimmshorts]

So very important

[@daveotuwa5596]

I still F'in' reside in Las Vegas, NV. In the city, a theatre has just finished being under fabrication, but it hasn't yet been open to the public. The joint is promissorily scheduling to have the grand opening early next year in frank. The MSG Sphere is the biggest candescent one on earth. It's so lit! What a display!

[@lowmax4431]

Those seats look uncomfortable 4:11

[@mclovin6537]

Wow thank you for showing me this, I’m going to visit Taiwan next month. I will go here for sure

[@MahlenMorris]

Man, this construction video is making me hungry.

[@saranbhatia8809]

Interesting design!

[@AshleyYakeley]

Some of the interior feel reminds me of the downtown Seattle Public Library, another Rem Koolhaas building.

[@7691455]

That globe reminds me of similar landmark design at Hong Kong Science Park 😄

[@Gosudar]

That public loop is a wonderful idea.

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

nice video

[@spaceboyglitchgirl7526]

Why do you only present the architects and not the structural engineers? Their job must have been way more challenging to do to finish the project than the architect’s.

[@kuro_5537]

The reason that the budget ballooned like crazy is bc originally the sphere is covered in rounded glass, which were shipped from Italy, but they cracked so easily during flights that it bankrupted the building company

[@adrijobecq]

The interior reminded me of Porto's Casa da Música and low and behold, it was the same architect.

[@Norfolk250]

That is rather fantastic

[@manueledelisio]

Hey, as usual, great content. "Bull-Bae-Yo" really cracked me up! I might start calling it like that, just for fun!😆

[@RoroNYQ]

3:13 All these stock footage are not of Taiwan... but Philippines, Pakistan, or India. I don't understand why it's difficult to get stock footage of night markets in Taiwan.

[@sawgames8623]

Newsflash, whites are racist and don't care about any Asian even when they claim to

[@jmssun]

3:08 - 3:30 just a note.. these clips are not taken in Taiwan. I assume somewhere in south east Asia?

[@TheBak124]

Definitely making Taipei

[@weatheranddarkness]

I took the metro a few times out to the mouth of the Tamsui while I was there and always wondered what this weird shape was.

[@j.a.velarde5901]

Hooray!!

[@Daniel-wr3le]

Whatever you called it an island or a nation, I am overwhelmed with happiness that my home is featured

[@MaximSupernov]

Taiwan is a great nation.

[@michaelhonges]

3:12-3:22 is not a clip of Taipei night market or any streets in Taipei but a street in the Philippines.