Sopot, city in the North of Poland located between Gdansk and Gdynia, some time ago was recognized as a place of many artistic happenings.Now it is slowly changing into the city full of plastic and kitch. Small shopping malls, kebaps and overscaled hotels are constantly changing the apperance of the city. Places providing alternative entertainment are slowly being closed. For example "Cinema Polonia".
Nevertheless there is one exception, building of a small scene of "Teatr Wybrzeże"(Theatre from Gdansk ). Modern, subtle architecture nicely fit in scale is one of the rare examples of new buildings not soaring with kitch. Therefore idea for a diploma project subject appeard. Extending theatrical functions in the city by localising new theatre.
Project was located on 1 Maja street which is direct continuation of Monte Cassino street - one of the most popular pedestrian areas and the one leading to the "Forest Opera" in Sopot. It consists of 2 auditoriums: 560 an 110 people, which would perfectly extend 250 of existing theatre. Ideally those 2 theatres would raise prestige of the place, put some more life to the street, stimulating social life and art happenings. Another advantage would be leading people into direction of "Trojmiejski Park Krajobrazowy" ( Park Area in the city ) and extending social area up to crossing with 1 Maja stret with Moniuszki street.The site is surrounded by park area and couple of University buildings.
Most of the volume was hidden underground as most of the rooms in theatre don't need daylight. Workshops and all the administrative is located on the First Floor so the daylight is provided. Basically building is divided into 2 parts. Theatre buikding and additional car park for surrounding University buildings both of with can work separately. Close surrounding of Park affected character of the building which in it's simplicity is putting further emphazis on the surroundings. Flytower is the dominant and thanks to putting Experimental Scene on top it becomes a strong landmark.
Author: Adrian Mania
Promoter: Andrzej Prusiewicz
Technical University of Gdańsk Diploma of the year 2010
SARP Wybrzeże Nominee for Polish Diploma of the year 2011
Sopot city President's Award 2010 for best diploma project located in Sopot, Poland
Sopot city President's Award 2010 for best diploma project located in Sopot, Poland
View From South-East on Entrance Area
Site Location
Urban Context bird's eye view
Scheme 01.The site. Isometrical view. Characteristic slope visible
Scheme 02. Location of the volume on the site
Scheme 03. Dividing volume into 2 parts along the level of terrain
Scheme 04. Moving one part of the volume to make it less massive
Scheme 05. Lowering the corner the upper part to resemble the character of the terrain
Scheme 06. Adding flytower, an architectural expression of technical conditions of theatre buildings
Scheme 07. Adding glazed box of experimental scene of the top of the flytower making it the symbol of the building. Emphazis on it's function
Lower Basement Floor_Technical Rooms and Undergorund Parking
Basement Floor_Main Auditorium Level
Ground Floor_Main Entrance Level
First Floor_Staff & Delivery Entrance Level
Section Through Main Auditorium
Section through the Main Core
Section Through Technical Support Rooms
Simple animation showing sections from east side to the west side of the building
Section Through the Entrance Zone and Foyer
East Elevation
North Elevation
West Elevation
South Elevation
View From South-East on Entrance Area
Simple animation showing the building's volume
Night View
Main Auditorium
Experimental Scene
Top Floor Interior
