The competition, announced in August at the initiative of the Government of the Novgorod Region, was intended to choose the best reconstruction project for the building built by the architect Vladimir Somov in the 1970s - 1980s.
A non-standard format was chosen for its holding - 16 young architectural firms with experience in designing cultural objects were invited to participate. Of these, based on the results of reviewing the portfolio and brief descriptions of the proposed solutions, three finalists were selected, who, under the guidance of the curator of the competition Roger Watts (bureau
Haworth Tompkins) developed the final designs.
The victory and the chance to implement the proposed concept went to the St. Petersburg bureau Rhizome. Below are all three prize-winning projects.
Winner of competitionRhizome
The architects open the theater entirely to the viewer, make the building permeable, allowing them to "spy" on its inner life, previously hidden behind the walls of technical and office premises. The theater turns into a kind of city, and visitors are immersed in the variety of processes taking place here. The predominance of deep red shades in interior decoration is dictated by theatrical solemnity and allows ensuring the equality of all renovated spaces, although the auditorium and stage, of course, remain the main center of events. From the outside, the building also sparkled with new colors - spectacular illumination gives it the spirit of modernity and turns it into a "magnet" for views, cameras and visitors.
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Finalist of the competitionArchiproba Studios
The authors of the project refer to the original sketches and non-embodied ideas of the architect Somov. Thus, the unique spirit of the place is formed and the history of the object's design is preserved. All modern interventions coexist peacefully with the original design and technological solutions. The renovated theater should become a popular attraction for city guests, an accessible and hospitable space for local residents and an iconic object of Russian architecture.
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zooming 1/7 Competitive concept for the reconstruction of the building of the drama theater in Veliky Novgorod Archiproba Studios
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Finalist of the competitionForm
The concept is based on the idea of "total theater" by Vladimir Somov. Architects create the effect of a stage space throughout the building and beyond. Architecture is also acquiring the character of stage decoration - the authors prefer modular solutions, including temporary ones, which become the embodiment of theatrical essence. The internal boundaries in the building are erased, all levels are connected vertically, which leaves room for creative interpretation of the space.
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The competition was supported by DOM. RF and PJSC Acron. Operator - KB Strelka. For more details and a list of the jury, please visit the website.
