Polish Theatre - Extension and revitalization of Polish Theatre
Year: 2012
Location: Poznań, Poland
Author: Małgorzata Zbierska
Status: Master graduation project at Poznań University of Technology / Architecture and Urban Planning
The form, of this modern, timeless, and simple theatre, is an allegory of the building function.
Shaped to reveal different perspectives: View of courtyard space, spectacular foyer as the main stage, or transparent facade with balconies - as smaller frames. The half-transparent rhythmic structure becomes the main theme in the facade, which figuratively refers to the corrugated curtain. The intentional usage of the semi-transparent material in facade aimed to achieve an effect of space diffusion.
From the perspective of an external viewer, the inhabitants appear as hazy silhouettes, crystallising only in the specific frames of balconies or in the glass ground floor, which exposes superimposition of courtyard space with the facade of the old theatre, main foyer and the street.
The courtyard invites to the multi-storey foyer, which is broken line focuses attention on the facade of the old theatre. The foyer interior is dominated by two dynamically shaped staircases, that seamlessly transforms into balconies. Grey, stone theatre hall becomes a great background for the expressive lines and suggests to interpret this multi-storey interior as symbolic theatre scene.
The most important part of the building is massive, stone, the form of theatre, which is the core of the building. Theatre block includes spacious, 3-storey hall for 500 audiences, a large scene including all technical support for the scene.
Communication has been separated into two separate zones- for the professionals inside the block, and for the audience around. Other, more daytime functions like media library, rehearsal rooms, administration and dormitory for actors, was settled in a separate block in the east part of the building. At the back side, in less representative part, the building was equipped with theatrical magazines, which were covered with a green roof which was shaped as a sloping courtyard and a summer foyer.
