Apr
10
2009
Cardiff Bay Opera House
Author: SamDuring the beginning of the 1990′s, the Bay at Cardiff in Wales, propositions and ideas were set forth in what was to become the redevelopment and reconstruction project for the city. One such idea was to become the new home for the famous and internationally respected Welsh National Opera. The company had previously held performances at New Theater, but had yet to fine a permanent residences. What is know a well known performing arts center in Cardiff Bay, the Cardiff Bay Opera House was still just an idea during the early 90′s. The Development Corporation for Cardiff Bay held an international competition for designers and architects interested in tackling what was considered a central and crucial aspect of the entire area’s renovation. Zaha Hadi, and architect from Iraq was awarded the honor of creating, what was nick-named by the press as the Crystal Necklace. However, the financial backing fell through and Hadi’s vision never came to fruition. The organization which allocates funding for the city is the Millennium Commission. And the Commission did not approve the project.
So the trust for the Opera set upon creating another competition, inviting once again, international architects to submit designs. The Opera House Trust would decide on the design winner after a two round competitions. Again, the first round was won by none other than Zaha Hadi. She beat out for the second time, over 250 other designers. However, her design was considered a bit modern and radical, and she was asked tocollaborate with a well known company. Revised designs were submitted and for the third time Ms. Hadi’s design was chosen. However, while her original design was praised by the media, this time she was attacked as presenting elitist designs and the project failed to attain the support of the city council of Cardiff. The Council was a huge supporter of the Millennium Stadium, a project applying for funding during the same time, and the Stadium won the bid. For the modern Cardiff hotel and business, this was a disappointment as Hadi’s design was modern, but not elitist and the Council as well as the Commission were viewed as provincial and old school in their thought and ideas concerning art and architecture. The people of the city were hoping for the modernized building as so many in London are being constructed and revitalizing the energy of the city. An overall Arts Center was opened in 2004, and while the Opera does perform here, it is not what was hoped for nor envisioned.
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