Ben van Berkel UNStudio, Theatre de Stoep in Spijkenisse

UNStudio’s plan for Spijkenisse Theatre adds to the cultural facilities available in the Dutch town, and therefore the theatre’s social aspects, with a traditional function: creation of an imaginary world. Architect Ben van Berkel emphasises the theatre’s role as a place for live performances in contrast with contemporary culture’s increasing focus on virtual community spaces.
The building’s rounded shape is determined by the need not to alter the flow of wind to the nearby "Nooitgedacht" windmill. The composition is designed around a vertical foyer permitting different points of view on the various levels of the volume and linking the theatre’s different functions through a sculptural staircase. Light and colour are key aspects of the Theatre de Stoep, and ARUP contributed to the lighting design and technical and engineering aspects of the project.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Project: Ben van Berkel, Gerard Loozekoot with Jacques van Wijk and Hans Kooij, Lars Nixdorff, Thomas Harms, Gustav Fagerstrom, Ramon van der Heijden Tatjana Gorbachewskaja, Jesca de Vries, Wesley Lanckriet, Maud van Hees, Benjamin Moore, Henk van Schuppen, Philipp Mecke, Colette Parras, Daniela Hake, Mazin Orfali and Selim Ahmad.

Engineer design phase (structures and building services): Arup, Amsterdam
Engineer execution (structure and architecture): IOB, Hellevoetsluis
Advisor installations execution phase:  De Blaay – Van den Boogaard, Rotterdam
Lighting design: Arup, Amsterdam
Theatre technique: PB theateradviseurs, Uden
Acoustics: SCENA akoestisch adviseurs, Uden
Fire: DGMR, Arnhem
Costs: Basalt Bouwadvies, Nieuwegein

Location: Spijkenisse, the Netherlands
Photo credits: ©Peter Guenzel / ©Jan Paul Mioulet / ©Peter de Jong
3D images: © Arup / IOB.nl

www.unstudio.com
www.arup.com

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