light pyramids adorn black box theater in slovenia by kosi in partnerji

the previously unused attic of the austro-hungarian building of the poljane high school has been remodeled several times for the last 30 years, yet its boldest iteration was completed by kosi in partnerji. the slovenian design firm recently transformed it into a black box theater hall, adorned with lighting elements verging between chandeliers and an architectural intervention.

when the designers came across the unusual space, it was defined by its striking wooden roof, the irregularly broken shell of the surrounding walls, and its disproportionate nine meter height. somewhat newer steel beams had been added for structural support, interrupting the space at __ angles.

the attic was previously fragmented into individual, unrelated elements and instead of focusing on the performance onstage, the visitors attention was constantly drawn to the unsettlingly high, atypical space. so, kosi in parnerji were tasked with renovating the attic into a more usable and adequate performance venue.

in the first step of renovation, the existing predominant geometry of the space was drastically changed. everything that was superfluous was removed from the room, and the remaining shell and supporting structure were painted matte black. within this new black void, the designers hung two light pyramids, which create a ‘new architecture’ in the hall and consequently overwrite its true spatial proportions.

each pyramid consists of four levels of illuminated, square linear lamps. by switching on different combinations of these lamps, a myriad of ambients and lighting conditions can be created. on the auditorium’s platform, conventional seats were replaced by upholstered benches. each 10 cm wide segment was colored a different red hue, however, their design was not meant to determine the way people sat in the space. the seats don’t represent an exact number of spaces nor the way people should occupy each one. this creates a relaxed atmosphere where each guest is encouraged to relax and watch the performance how they prefer.

project info:

designer team: ognen arsov, ana kosi, bine tekavec

location: ljubljana, slovenia

client: poljane gymnasium

completion year: 2017

program: school, theater

area: 250 m2

photographer: janez marolt

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom