The main purpose of this project is to build a Performing Arts Center to serve a variety of large-scale performances, including dramas and operas. The main structure will contain three theaters: a 1.500-seat Grand Theater, and two 800-seat theaters for repertory performances. These performance spaces must fulfill the specific needs of many different styles of performing arts. The Taipei Performing Arts Center will be a professional-level facility that meets international standards, providing a world-class performing arts venue for the Taipei area.

Taipei Performing Arts Center International Competition is a tw0-stage open competition with a total construction budget of 124.600.000 Dollars.

Currently, there are about 40 performing arts venues in Taiwan. Besides the National Theater and Concert Hall, which opened in 1987, the provincial cultural centers are regarded as local regional theaters on an auditorium only. As a rule, these regional theaters are poorly equipped and unable to support a professional level of production.

For the past two decades, there has not been performance venue built in the Taipei area that meets international standards. Local performing arts groups must submit proposals at lease one and half years prior before performance to be wait-listed for the National Theater or National Concert Hall, and often these performance spaces are unavailable to many groups. In addition, after 20 years of operation, the facilities of National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center are worn out and somewhat unreliable. Hardware problems have disrupted many performances. Due to the importance of this venue, plans for renovation are being aggressively pursued.

Performing arts venues yet theatre is scarce if Taipei is to advance itself as an arts capital, additional arts spaces will be required. Therefor the aim of this project is to establish a world-class professional performing arts center for arts lovers, whether they are creative artists, performers, or audiences. Moreover, the center will foster arts education, support arts commerce and employment, and improve the standard of living from the artistic perspective.

Eligibility
- Any licensed architect of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) is qualified to tender.
- Any licensed architect (or Consultant / Corporation) of foreign country is qualified to tender.
- Joint tender is available for licensed architects of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) and licensed architects (or Consultants / Corporations) of foreign countries.

Awards
First Stage
No more than three Short-List Tenderers shall be selected to enter into the Stage Two. Honorable Mentions shall not be more than four entries. (the jury may choose not to select any or all prizewinner when it is necessary). Each Honorable Mention winner is entitled to 20.000 Dollars. The above prizes will be subject to the R.O.C. income tax and will be withheld by the DCA in accordance with the law of tax.

Second Stage
The First Prize winners shall be selected from the Short-List Tenderers: One First Prize will be awarded Planning, Design, and Supervision Rights of this project, one Second Prize and one Third Prize (the jury may choose not to select any or all prizewinner when it is necessary).

Each of the Short-List Tenderers submitting the Stage Two Proposal Documents, Presentation Attachment Materials (including Design Drawings and Model) and conducting the presentation and Q&A shall be awarded a prize of 50.000 Dollars. The awarded prize money for the Winning Tenderer is included in the first payment of the contract and shall be deducted when the first payment of Service Fee is paid.) The above prizes will be subject to the R.O.C. income tax and will be withheld by the DCA in accordance with the law of tax.

Jury
- Su Chang (Master of Architecture, Harvard University, USA - Principal, Shu Chang Associates, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.)
- Louisa Hutton (Architectural Association School of Architecture, London - Founding partner and director of Sauerbruch Hutton Architects, London and Berlin)
- Gene K. King (M. Arch., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA - Principal of King Shih Architects, Taiwan, ROC.)
- Stan Lai (Ph. D., Dramatic Art, U.C. Berkeley, USA - Dean and Artistic Director, Taipei National University of the Arts, Taiwan, ROC.)
- Mohsen Mostafavi (2008 - Dean, Faculty of Design, Harvard Graduate School of Design, USA - Professor of Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design, USA)
- Mack Scogin (Principal of Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, Atlanta, Georgia, USA - Adjunct Professor of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, USA)
- David Tseng (Master of Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, USA - Professor and Dean, College of Fine Arts and Creative Design, Tunghai University, Taiwan, ROC.)

Competition Schedule
25 July 2008: Announcement of RFP
25 July - 21 October 2008: Obtaining the RFP
25 August 2008: Deadline for Question Submissions for RFP
01 September 2008: Questions Answered Date
21 October 2008: Stage One Material Submission Deadline
22 October 2008: Stage One Qualification Review
23 - 24 October 2008: Stage One Jury Session
24 October 2008: Announcement of Short-List Tenderers and Honorable Mentions
07 November 2008: Site Visit
19 January 2009: Stage Two Tender Submission Deadline
20 January 2009: Stage Two Qualification Review
21 - 22 January 2009: Stage Two Jury Session
22 January 2009: Announcement of Winning Tenderer and other Finalists
01 - 28 February 2009: Public Exhibition