At the foot of the Slovak Tatra Mountains, a new theatre has recently been built in Poprad (Slovak: Divadlo Poprad). The derelict building of the former Máj cinema, dating from the 1980s, has been transformed into a modern structure with a white façade enhanced by soft, flowing forms. The entire project was carried out according to a design by the zerozero studio in collaboration with a team of architects led by Irakli Eristavi.
The layered history of the site next to the church
The Máj cinema opened in the 1980s, though its foundations are much older. The building was constructed on the site of two Gothic townhouses, which had been merged into a single structure as early as the Renaissance period. Later, the property served as a residential house for many years. Eventually, it was almost entirely demolished to make way for a new development. After the cinema closed around 2010, the building gradually fell into disrepair, losing its function and significance in the local landscape. During recent works, the vaulted cellars and a significant part of the upper storeys’ structure were preserved.
The new theatre in Poprad
From the outset, the architects intended to alter the building’s dimensions. Reducing its volume and reshaping the roof helped to minimise the building’s visual dominance within the historic neighbourhood of the church and small townhouses from various eras. The new roof, supported by steel trusses, emphasises the theatre’s perfect proportions and lends it a more elegant character. The old external staircase has been replaced by a new one with smoothly rounded shapes.
Interiors of the new building
The functional layout of the building has been adapted to the needs of a modern cultural institution. The main auditorium, with its amphitheatre-style seating, occupies a central position within the theatre’s overall design. It is complemented by a smaller hall on the top floor, which is also used as a rehearsal space. The backstage facilities face the Velický stream, which has made it possible to create separate access routes for the performers. The total seating capacity in the main auditorium and the gallery is 180.
New layout of the medieval cellars
The street entrance has been retained in its original location, though given a more clearly defined setting. The foyer now features a ticket office, a small bar and a cloakroom situated in a separate cubicle. The medieval cellars now house the ‘Garden’ café, which is directly connected to the summer stage outside the building. The upper floors have been designated for administration and a guest suite has been fitted out there. On the top floor, a viewing terrace offering panoramic views of the Tatra Mountains has been created.
The new theatre in Poprad – materials and interiors
The structure of the new building features reinforced concrete and sections of ceramic brickwork, whilst the uppermost sections utilise steel beams and trapezoidal sheet metal. The building’s façades are finished with a subtle, light-coloured plaster, which emphasises the serene character of this elegant architecture. The interiors also employ a limited palette of materials: raw concrete, smooth plaster and polished floors. Both theatre auditoriums stand out clearly from the rest of the rooms thanks to black acoustic cladding and brass detailing.
Summer stage in Poprad
The eastern part of the site has been developed as an open-air stage with an auditorium. It was constructed using prefabricated concrete elements. The project by zerozero is complemented by permeable surfaces in the car park and surroundings that open out towards the neighbouring Wielicka Woda stream.
design: zerozero
completion: 2023–2025
photography: Matej Hakár
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