The New Stage of the Wanda Siemaszkowa Theatre is not only a new building, but also a visionary project that redefines the concept of performance space in the heart of Rzeszów. Located in the very centre, next to the theatre’s existing premises on Sokoła Street, the new development has been designed to create, alongside the historic architecture, a coherent, functional whole opening up to dynamic urban life. The entrance from Cieplińskiego Avenue, one of the city’s busiest streets, makes the theatre more accessible to residents and tourists, and the building’s spaces fit in perfectly with the rhythm of everyday city traffic. The project was prepared by architects from the Plus3 Architekci studio.
One of the most important objectives of the design by Plus3 Architekci was to preserve the valuable tree stock, including the two centuries-old oak trees considered to be monuments of nature on the site. From the outset, the designers decided that these trees would form an integral part of the spatial composition. In order not to disturb the root system, part of the building was founded on stilts, dispensing with traditional foundations, which made it possible to preserve the natural microclimate of the surroundings. An innovative soil aeration and irrigation system ensures that the trees can grow in harmony with the modern structure, which is particularly evident in solutions similar to those used for the ‘Pod Dębami’ nursery school in Warsaw’s Wesoła district.
The architecture of the New Stage deliberately contrasts with its 19th-century surroundings. Modern precast concrete elements with a characteristic texture, juxtaposed with the historic buildings, emphasise both the separateness and complementarity of the two worlds. The designers have dismembered the body of the building, not forcing a compact form, but adapting the structure to the existing greenery and urban landscape. As a result, the new development not only complements but also enriches the historic urban fabric of Rzeszów, creating a lively dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Thoughtful space
The central element of the building is an elongated, glazed foyer that connects the most important functions of the ground floor – leading to both the two theatre halls, the café and the exhibition space. The foyer, overlooking the well-kept patio and surrounding greenery, has become a place where the theatre invites its audiences to participate not only in performances but also in numerous cultural events.
The New Stage is a complex of two buildings. The main part is a theatre facility and a separately designed decoration warehouse – both form a complex that caters for a variety of artistic needs. Within the main part, two halls have been created: a larger black box type, seating 180 people, and a smaller, “Young Stage”, with seating for 60 spectators. Both halls are equipped with state-of-the-art stage systems allowing for different configurations of the space, and their flexibility attracts artists experimenting with the form and content of their performances.
The first floor of the building houses the Szajna Gallery, an exhibition space dedicated to the work of Jozef Szajna, an outstanding artist, stage designer and director closely associated with the history of theatre. With its independent entrance and suspended structure, the gallery invites artistic encounters and dialogue between different fields of culture, giving the investment an additional symbolic and cultural dimension.
Innovative solutions
The interior design of the New Stage has been kept in a minimalist but elegant style. The black walls and graphite floors create a subdued backdrop for the performances, at the same time allowing the expressive elements of the stage design to be exposed. The foyer ceiling, constructed from irregular copper laths, gives the space a unique character, modelling it in a subtle way and creating the effect of a stage setting in itself. The interiors, thanks to large glazing and a clever curtain system, are able to change character seamlessly – from bright, open spaces to a completely darkened environment ideal for intimate performances.
A door made of raw, burnished copper, contrasting with the dark background of the walls, emphasises the entrance to the theatre halls, becoming a symbolic pass between the different areas of the building. The common spaces have been furnished with attention to sustainability and functionality, using energy-efficient lighting solutions and flexible stage systems to accommodate all artistic needs.
On the roofs of the New Stage, so-called rain roofs were used with a thick layer of retention substrate, 40-50 cm thick, allowing water to be retained and supporting the growth of vegetation. In addition, some areas have been equipped with photovoltaic installations, which is in line with the idea of sustainable development and an ecological approach to urban planning.
Opening up to the city
The New Stage of the Wanda Siemaszkowa Theatre is a project that symbolically opens up to the city and its inhabitants. Thanks to its openness, flexibility of space and creative architectural solutions, the building becomes a multifunctional place – both a space for theatre performances and a meeting point for artistic, educational and cultural events. The investment has become a new phase in the theatre’s history, where creativity and dialogue between architecture and art meet to create an inspiring place for present and future generations.
project: Plus3-Architekc
team: arch. Katarzyna Głażewska, arch. Krzysztof Bagiński, arch. Aleksandra Stoltz
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