The design for a banana museum and opera house in Havana in Cuba takes its cue from the brief of a design competition held by the Academy of Architecture, Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills.

The theme of this design consists of bridging the gap between people and culture and removing the division between the three worlds found in Cuba: the world of the Cuban people, that of the Castro regime and that of the tourists. Breaking down physical and psychological barriers creates opportunities for a new relationship between city, building and people.

The building is configured as six parallel walls 40 metres high, 55 metres long and with a width varying from 2.4 to 12 metres. Piercements in the walls expose the functions these contain, giving a peek behind the scenes. The piercements in turn construct a labyrinthine system of public spaces.

Each wall consists of a concrete timber-clad skeleton in which are hung orange crates. The leftover spaces between the outer walls and the crates are filled in with earth. This is the matrix for plantations and parks.

An oval space scooped out of the walls provides a space for operas. You can watch the performance from theatre boxes and from the neighbouring streets. Because the stage has a grid floor it is even possible to follow the proceedings from below.

The banana is presented here both culturally and commercially. The museum comprises hundreds of peep-hole exhibits, a banana plantation, a shop and fast-food vending walls of banana dishes.

Place of education: Arnhem
Specialization: architectuur
Tutors: Wim Korvinus, Frans Sturkenboom, Nathalie de Vries & Bernadette Janssen