Theater Koblenz | MVRDV

Save
Theater Koblenz | MVRDV

Information

  • Project Name: Theater Koblenz
  • Practice: MVRDV
  • Gross Built up Area: 9500m2
  • Project Location: Koblenz
  • Country: Germany
  • Lead Architects/Designer: Jacob van Rijs, Sven Thorissen, Lennaart Sirag
  • Design Team: Alexa Linde, Franziska Wollscheid, Irech Castrejon, Hubert Piekarcyck, Marcus Häusler
  • Clients: Stadtverwaltung Koblenz
  • Structural Consultants: Laufs Engineering Design GmbH
  • MEP Consultants: Büro Happold
  • Photo Credits: Isa Steinhäuser, MVRDV
  • Others: Visualizations: Antonio Luca Coco, Luca Piatelli, Stefania Trozzi, Project coordination: theapro GmbH, Thomas Lüdicke, Cost calculation: W+W, Building Physics: Ingenieurbüro Bechert, Media, stage light, technical consultant: theapro GmbH, Stage light consultant: Rose + Imming Ingenieur-Partnerschaft mbB
More Info Less Info

Excerpt: Theater Koblenz, an old theatre reimagined by MVRDV, balances the many complexities of the brief, along with heritage preservation considered with necessary technical upgrades and a roof renovation. The design combines a renovation of the historic architecture, keeping with the preservation requirements, with the modernisation of the technical equipment. The different functions of each space are indicated by the variety of aluminum profiles on the building facade, with each different pattern or orientation of the panels’ folds representing a different part of the building’s programme.

Project Description

[Text as submitted by architect] MVRDV’s sustainable renovation creates a dignified backstage counterpart to Theater Koblenz’s historic public face

MVRDV has presented its design for the extensive renovation of the Theater Koblenz, comprising an interior renovation and redesign of significant parts of the theatre’s backstage elements. Working within the boundaries of the existing building, the project carefully balances the many complexities of the brief: heritage preservation is considered alongside necessary technical upgrades and a roof renovation. In addition, the façade of the operations building on Clemensstraße will be redesigned to give this backstage entrance a modern, expressive appearance that announces it as an integral part of the theatre complex while clearly distinguishing it from the theatre’s historic visitor entrance. With the renovation preserving a large part of the building for further use and using bio-based materials as much as possible, the carbon emissions for the Theater Koblenz will be lower than for a comparable renovation.

Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV

Built-in 1787 and last renovated in the 1980s, the theatre presents a grand classical façade towards Koblenz’s Deinhardplatz. Behind the scenes, however, is a different story: over the years, the complex was extended a number of times, and today many of the theatre’s functional areas – offices, dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, workshops, lounges – are housed in several outbuildings connected to the historic theatre. A substantial part of these operational spaces are located on Clemensstraße. This building does not make the theatre visible to the outside world as an important modern cultural institution and does not provide adequate working conditions for the theatre’s staff.

Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV
Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV

MVRDV’s design responds to this situation by making the most significant changes where they are most needed. In the front of the house, the design combines a renovation of the historic architecture – in keeping with the preservation requirements – with the modernisation of the technical equipment. The building on Clemensstraẞe will be completely renovated inside and the façade will be entirely renewed in order to highlight the building’s function as part of the theatre, as well as to make the pride and enthusiasm of the people who work for the theatre visible to the people outside.

Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV
Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV

Large windows are opened in the ground floor to allow passers-by a glimpse of the activities inside, while the existing façade of the building is replaced by recycled aluminium panels, as a reference to the materials used backstage in a theatre. The different functions of each space are indicated by the variety of aluminium profiles, with each different pattern or orientation of the panels’ folds representing a different part of the building’s programme. In addition to coloured blinds, large, brightly lit letters are placed on the façade to further communicate the purpose of the building.

Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV

The design also renovates all of the theatre’s roofs, making use of recycled materials to reduce the carbon emissions of the project. In an additional sustainable measure, the design team was able to integrate photovoltaic panels across the complex, a challenging task considering the building’s heritage status. Through careful study, these solar panels are added in a way that cannot be seen from street level, preserving the historical appearance of the building.

Theater Koblenz | MVRDV
© MVRDV

“In the past, going to the theatre was largely about grandeur, about the excitement of visiting these big, fancy buildings,” says Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV. “In this experience, the dichotomy of the ‘front of house’ and ‘back of house’ helped to obscure another ingredient of the experience: the people who made the productions. Koblenz was a perfect example of this, where visitors enjoyed the neoclassical façade while the production crew was forced to go to extreme lengths just to get some fresh air. With our renovation, we elevate this aspect of the theatre so the staff can be proud: ‘Here we are, and we hope you enjoy our work.”

Leave a Reply