The London-headquartered practice was appointed last month to deliver a vision for the mixed-use Caoe River Culture and Art Centre, located on the banks of the Caoe River.ZHAs design is understood to have been preferred ahead of competition from China-based architects 9grid, among other unnamed contenders.The winning design includes spaces for opera, dance, a symphony orchestra, musical theatre and drama productions, with a scheme centred around a 1,400-seat Grand Theatre.AdvertisementOther dedicated spaces include a 500-seat black-box multifunctional hall, a 2,900m arts and education centre, a 3,000m conference centre, a 7,500m heritage museum and a 10,000m digital art gallery.Outdoor spaces include terraced landscapes, courtyards, natural parklands and gardens which can host performances while connecting the centre with Shaoxing and giving visitors access to the waterfront.ZHA says the shape and form of the building is both new and recognisable and honours the rich tradition and craftsmanship of glazed tiles upon pitched roofs within the regions vernacular architecture.Regarding its sustainability, the practice says some materials will be locally sourced while the curving roof is designed to provide shading from solar glare and photovoltaic panels will contribute towards the centres energy demand.ZHAs ongoing China work includes a 210m-tall office tower in Xian, the capital of Chinas central Shaanxi Province, a new 409,000m harbourside cultural district in the Chinese beach resort of Sanya and and the proposed Hangzhou International Sports Centre.AdvertisementThere is no timeline for completion on the Caoe River Culture and Art Centre.The practice has recently been in the news over its legal bid to stop paying for the use of the name of the late Zaha Hadid an obligation that has cost the practice 21.4 million since her death.The AJ100 practices directors had sought a legal declaration that it should be able to give 12 months notice to terminate a contract with the Zaha Hadid Foundation, the charity set up in her name which promotes the late Iraqi-British architects work. Under the contract, ZHA must hand over 6 per cent of its income annually to use the trademark Zaha Hadid. However, a judge ruled against the practice last month. Source:ZHAVisualisation of ZHAs Caoe River culture and arts centre, China