Acoustics gurus hear the clear call of opportunity in South China
Austrade media release
8 September 2010
Melbourne-based acoustics consultancy Marshall Day Acoustics has announced a major contract to design the interior acoustic spaces of the 1800 seat Zhuhai Opera House in Southern China.
Austrade’s Guangzhou Manager Jeff Turner said Marshall Day’s Zhuhai Opera House success – their fifth China project – highlighted opportunities for Australia to benefit from China’s rapid development, particularly in Southern and South-Western China.
“The Pearl River Delta region has seen massive new cities such as Shenzen emerge, and the redevelopment of other cities such as Zhuhai – a leading tourist destination referred to as the ‘Chinese Riviera’, Mr Turner said.
“Marshall Day Acoustics’ success follows an outstanding contribution to the acoustic design of the newly opened 1800 seat Guangzhou Grand Theatre. They have previously designed the 1,250 seat Xian Concert Hall and the 1,400 seat multi-function show theatre for Beijing Television.
Marshall Day Acoustics’ CEO Peter Fearnside said: “the success of the Guangzhou Opera House has positioned Marshall Day as a prominent acoustic consultant in China, offering a strong advantage over international and national competitors for new projects coming online.
“The US$120 million Guangzhou Opera House is the biggest cultural project in Guangzhou, the biggest performing centre in South China, and one of the three biggest theatres in China,” Mr Fearnside said.
“The arresting asymmetrical Guangzhou opera theatre was designed by acclaimed London-based architect and Pritzker prize laureate, Zaha Hadid, which launched in May this year to rave architectural and acoustic reviews.
Marshall Day Acoustics is also working with Zaha Hadid on a 2,000 seat grand theatre in the Sichuan capital of Chengdu.
“The Chengdu Cultural Centre project is expected to be complete in 2012 and features a large art gallery, a convention centre, a recital hall and a drama theatre as well as the grand theatre.
“Austrade has assisted us since when we entered the market almost ten years ago. They have provided market intelligence, contract negotiation assistance, and helped us build the relationships that count when it comes to doing business in China,” Mr Fearnside said.
Austrade’s Jeff Turner said Guangzhou, the Cantonese capital, and 2nd and 3rd tier cities in the western interior, would significantly drive China’s future growth.
“The Guangdong (Canton) province is the largest economy of any region in China, worth over $US 500 billion. Guangzhou is itself is the third largest urban economy in China and a gateway to rapidly growing cities such as Kunming, Chengdu, and Chongqing.
“With GDP growth expected to remain strong in 2010, and Goldman Sachs recently predicting the Chinese middle class will reach 70% of China’s 1.3 billion population by 2020, consumer demand will continue to grow and diversify across the country.
“To make the most of emerging opportunities Austrade is co-ordinating Australia’s presence as host nation in this year’s China Small and Medium Enterprise Fair (CISMEF) to be held September 15-18.
“More than 250 Australian SMEs will have a presence at the Australian Pavilion, representing the largest ever gathering of Australian companies for an overseas trade event, to an estimated 250,000 visitors.
“Austrade is drawing on its resources of over 100 staff from 14 offices across China to coordinate Australia's efforts for the Fair,” Mr Turner said.
For more information contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or visit austrade.gov.au
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