UNStudio wins majority vote with their design of den bosch's new theater

UNStudio wins majority vote with their design of den bosch’s new theater
images courtesy of UNstudio

after giving the residents of den bosch, netherlands the power to vote for their preferred design, it has been announced that UNStudio‘s scheme for the ‘theatre on the parade’ has won over ector hoogstad architecten‘s with 57%. due to start construction in 2017, the new theater will be based in the heart of dutch city. the building’s form is reminiscent of geological formations, seen as four, protruded shifting volumes that emerge above the surrounding treetops. creating a relationship with the immediate environment and the adjacent public square was integral to the consideration of the design. using natural stone for the enclosed volumes, the façades of the public spaces are composed of glass, so the building and the square blend, allowing visitors to become part of the show.

UNstudio’s vision won over the scheme by ector hoogstad architecten

the floor of the public foyer runs level to the ‘parade’, enabling the theater to form a natural extension of the public square. meanwhile, guests can directly access the small auditorium through the café, while the elevators and stairs take visitors to their chosen destination within. the glass, main staircase forms the heart of the vertical foyer, which extends over four levels and is 19 meters in height. efficient circulation is achieved by the column-free central atrium, and subsequently, creates a dynamic movement of people through all levels of the theater.

the public foyer runs level to the ‘parade’, enabling the theater to form a natural extension of the public square

ben van berkel from UNstudio comments: “ideas surrounding sensation and cultural expression form the conceptual basis of the design. the massing of the building is simultaneously single and multiple: the shifting displacement of the volumes suggests separation and fragmentation, while moments of intersection fuse the volumes and result in an autonomous, single object within the urban fabric.”

there are two auditoriums within the theatre, the main one can seat 950 people

housing two auditoriums, the larger of the two can seat 950 people with wooden lamellas to improve the acoustics, while the floor – slightly recessed below ground level – provides a natural buffer, preventing noise to travel to the immediate surroundings. the smaller auditorium ‘the paradezaal’ can seat 420, and features a flexible stage and retractable seating, enabling different of performance types: from intimate to celebratory events and shows without the necessity of sitting.

see designboom’s coverage of UNStudio and ector hoogstad architecten’s proposals for the theater competition here.

during public events on the parade square, the doors to the theater café can be opened