Performing arts venues

Kilden, a theatre and concert hall in Kristiansand, Norway, has brought together all the city?s institutions of performing arts. Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra now has a concert hall
accommodating 1200 attendees. Agder Theater, a regional group, is performing in a theater with a capacity of 700. The theater hall can be transformed to accommodate opera performances to house the ensemble Opera South. In addition, there is a stage for
experimental theater and a multi-purpose hall with a level floor.

Kilden produces experiences. The core of its architecture is the way the concert, theater and multi-purpose halls are serviced efficiently and without interference. The monumental abstract form of the wall of local oak, separates reality from fantasy. Passing through, the audience will move from natural landscape to the realm of performing arts. The wall allures the audience and expresses the diversity of artistic performances housed by the building as well as the power induced by their combination.

The wall made of wedged CNC milled solid planks is not only a disguised theatrical effect but a concrete tactile artifact, which also improves the acoustics of the foyer. The infinite blackness of the other facades emphasizes the spectacle of the foyer.

The concept for the Lappeenranta City theatre is exceptional: The theatre will be placed on top of a shopping centre. The idea, however, is ancient, as this is theatre coming back to its roots, back to the marketplace, back to the people. Millions visiting the shopping centre annually will be able to enjoy a variety of plays, while the restaurants cater for intermission. It is also exceptional that basically the entire theatre will be on one level. This is functionally the ideal situation. The stage sets will be brought to the centre of the workshop by a large lift. After assembly the sets can be pushed directly into one of the three halls. The support spaces outline the halls in a linear procession from the technical personnel to the dressing rooms. This means the entire theatre has one single corridor, instead of the usual incoherent dark jungle of spaces backstage. All backspaces will have windows to the street, which is of great importance for these professionals mainly working on and around the stage without daylight. The foyer will be a warm and soft place in contrast with the light and colourful commercial areas. To maximize interaction, the foyer and shopping arcade open fully into each other. Significant synergy will be achieved with this solution both in construction and maintenance.

The existing Kuopio City Theatre is a 1960’s modernist building by architect Helmer Stenros. The extension includes a new 200-seat studio stage with flexible seating and stage mechanics. New spaces are provided also for loading and logistics, costume manufacturing and storage, and support spaces of the new stage.

The only visible alteration when approaching the theatre from the city centre is the four meter elevation of the theatre tower. The stage technology for the main stage will be completely updated, and the current tower has to be raised. The add-on will form a glowing glass lantern, leaving the distinctive shape of the old tower recognizable.

The actual extension is a simple rectangular volume located perpendicularly to the existing volume. The new stage connects to the main stage like a horizontal version of the stage tower. It is a solid and permanent, contemporary addition which continues and complements the old structure with equal quality and permanence.

The public foyer is extended between the new and old volume as a bridge-like angled space, which floats above the new outdoor auditorium which is created between the old and new volume.

The old building has a beautiful and timeless material palette consisting of white concrete panels, glass and terracotta tiles. The extension is clad in white concrete panels with a wrinkled, varying surface form, which indicates a similar acoustically optimized cladding inside the new hall.

The selected site is fertile ground for this project. Instead of adding yet another monument to the core of the city, the new venue will be built into a relatively peaceful urban neighbourhood of Grochow. This location has potential for a secluded and refined institution separated but within an easy reach of the everyday life in Warsaw.

The proposal is focused on building a series of new pavilions around the green square on the old veterinary institute grounds. These new buildings, working together with the renovated existing structures, create a garden of music where the audience can disappear into the world of sound.

The green square folds down on the northern edge to create an outdoor auditorium connecting to the rehearsal room. The main outdoor space dramatically transforms into a unique and exciting room, providing space for orchestra rehearsals and smaller performances. The main concert hall is located behind the rehearsal room and is also formed as an excavation of the ground level. The concert hall is a spatially independent entity consisting of the lower part with the audience, the horizon opening to the garden and the upper volume creating the sound reverberation and reflections required by the acoustics.