A groundbreaking architectural transformation has breathed new life into an abandoned transformer factory in Dali, China, converting the industrial site into an innovative theatrical park that redefines the concept of performance venues. Designed by Atelier Alter Architects, the 13,358 square meter Dali Transformer Factory Theatrical District represents a bold reimagining of how theater spaces can integrate with urban landscapes and daily life.

Situated at the west-south edge of Erhai Lake, adjacent to Dali's ancient citadel, the project transforms the original industrial complex into a multifaceted cultural destination. The former workshop, storage facilities, and office buildings have been converted into theater spaces, new media art installations, and multi-sensory dining experiences. The centerpiece of the development is the Transformer Theatre, which creates what the architects describe as a 'trinity of architecture, interior, and stage setting design.'

The project's unique urban context significantly influenced its design approach. As the tallest building within the ancient citadel, the main assemblage building offers spectacular views of Erhai Lake to the east and Cangshan Mountain to the west - two of Dali's most celebrated natural landmarks. The architects used carefully designed pathways and elevated platforms to connect the complex's various roof levels, creating what they envision as an 'undulating Tabula Rasa' that celebrates both Dali's heritage and Eastern cultural traditions.

Rather than following conventional theater design principles, the project pioneers a new typological approach that the architects call a 'theatrical district.' Due to site constraints, the theater function is distributed across four separate buildings: the assemblage building serves as the front stage, the former storage area becomes the backstage, the office is converted into a gift shop, and the workshop provides theater services. This innovative distribution transforms the original streets between buildings into cross-stage access routes and program linkages.

The architectural concept embraces what the designers term 'Heterotopia' - illusionary spaces that exist parallel to reality. These theatrical spaces appear throughout the complex in various forms: some are located within rooftops, others are positioned on top of buildings, some attach to clerestory windows, and others extend from windows to create theatrical boxes. Each building in the factory contributes a portion of its space to create these micro-Heterotopias, forming meditation spaces that exist alongside everyday reality.

The project's industrial heritage plays a crucial role in its aesthetic identity. The clash between the factory's industrial aesthetics and Dali's scenic beauty creates rich layers within the city's touristic landscape. The industrial design language, characterized by mechanical lines, spatial compaction, and specific material sensitivities, has been converted into architectural syntax that defines both interior and exterior spaces of the performing venues. This collision of industrial heritage, vernacular architecture, and virtual reality arts resurrects the industrial site as a 'mutated transformer factory' that stages surreal theatrical moments throughout the complex.

The interior program is organized across three distinct levels, each offering unique performance and dining experiences. The first floor houses the Theatrical Bar of Tarot, the Queen's Broadcast Room, the Experimental Cabin, the Research Unit, the Immature Canteen, and the High Club. Each space serves as a unique performance venue with immersive shows, where the spatial sequence establishes both linear and non-linear narrative logic. The architecture itself becomes both the setting and subject of the performances, with interior spaces functioning as integral components of the theatrical experience.

The second floor features performance spaces including the Fragment of Memory, the Suspended Sleeping Tank, and a mezzanine extension of the High Club bar. These theatrical spaces incorporate advanced digital stage techniques such as Wire Screen technology, Yarn Screen Projection, and Action Capture systems to create illusionary surreal environments that transcend physical dimensions. The integration of cutting-edge technology allows for performances that blur the boundaries between reality and digital imagination.

The third floor focuses on dining experiences with the Tarot Bar Extension and the Red Wine Restaurant. These catering spaces maintain the theatrical spirit of the complex while incorporating industrial motifs from the original transformer factory. The dining areas are designed to continue the immersive experience, ensuring that visitors remain engaged with the theatrical narrative throughout their visit.

One of the project's most innovative features is the High Club, which functions as both a dancing venue and the final stage of the theatrical journey. This hybrid space serves as the climactic party venue where all theatrical plots reach their crescendo. The design ingeniously repurposes original equipment from the transformer factory, converting a crane and cable car system into a floating stage that can be raised and lowered. Two underground stages echo the suspended stage, and all performance areas are equipped with LED ice screens for virtual reality shows. The bar within the club transforms remaining factory machinery into furniture, creating a liminal space between theater and reality.

The project represents a significant collaboration between multiple design disciplines and cutting-edge technology companies. Leading architects Yingfan Zhang and Xiaojun Bu worked with an extensive team including specialists in landscape design from YZscape, new media art from MOUJITI ARTTECH, lighting design from GD Lighting Design, and various engineering consultants. This multidisciplinary approach was essential to achieving the project's ambitious integration of architecture, technology, and performance art.

Completed in 2023, the Dali Transformer Factory Theatrical District stands as a testament to adaptive reuse and innovative cultural programming. The project challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a theater, demonstrating how industrial heritage can be transformed into vibrant cultural spaces that serve contemporary community needs. By distributing theatrical functions throughout an urban district rather than containing them within a single building, the project creates new possibilities for how performance art can integrate with daily urban life, making theater accessible to broader audiences while celebrating the unique cultural and natural heritage of Dali.