A new theater with a glass facade has opened in Australia - the project was designed by Snøhetta studio

About this reported the Dezeen.

The main architectural feature of the building is the cantilevered second floor, which seems to “hang” over the street. It is enveloped by an undulating glass facade, which opens up views both outside and inside the lobby. The six-meter-long cantilever overlooks two streets at once, which allowed for maximum use of the site in a dense urban development.

The façade design was inspired by lines from a prose poem by Australian artist and Indigenous person Lilla Watson, which mentions the Brisbane River with its waves and fish beneath the surface. The architects intended the wavy shape of the glass to evoke this image.

The structure consists of two levels of seven-meter glass panels, some of which have black ceramic inserts that reduce solar glare and heating.

The architects wanted the transparent facade to function as a kind of “public stage.” Passersby can see people in the lobby, but the wavy glass partially blurs their silhouettes.

The theater hall consists of a 1000-seat parlor and a balcony for another 500. The maximum distance from the stage to the furthest seat is only 28 meters, which creates a feeling of intimacy for the audience and performers.

The interior of the hall is intentionally dark, with eucalyptus wood walls and dark green carpet, contrasting with the bright foyer filled with natural light.

The theatre space is easily transformed for different productions. The orchestra pit has three sections of floor that can be raised or lowered separately. The stage tower also houses 100 automated suspension mechanisms for scenery, lights and curtains.

Another detail is the seven light lanterns in the roof. They symbolize the seven watersheds of Queensland and refer to the cultural heritage of the region's indigenous peoples.

Recall that architectural studios Snøhetta, BIG and MVRDV are working on landmark projects within the 84-hectare Ion Riva masterplan in northern Istanbul.

 

 

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