Theater Zuidplein

Theater Zuidplein a new cultural hotspot of Rotterdam Zuid Programme: theatre, library, restaurant The southern part of Rotterdam is a high-density residential area. Its profile is one of cultural diversity, lower-income households, unequal opportunities and a scarcity of cultural amenities. The Zuidplein Theatre is part of 'Hart van Zuid', an area-wide PPP development around the Zuidplein and Ahoy locations. The new building replaces the outdated theatre built in 1953. The brief was to create an accessible building where local residents could meet, gain knowledge and share experiences. Theater Zuidplein is a clear, compact volume of about 12,500 m². For acoustic reasons, the two auditoriums are positioned furthest away from the residential areas. Here, the building appears enclosed and intimate with a sturdy masonry facade highlighted by distinctive vertical niches. The unique finish gives the brick façade depth and detail. A semi-transparent anodised aluminum veil drapes delicately over the entrance and lobby. The building connects to the public space in several ways: The benches constructed against the façade allow passersby to sit 'on' the building. The stage has three windows. It allows you to look outside from the stage. But you can also sneak a peek at the stage from outside. If a band is playing here or there's a festival, you can open the window shutters and let people look in. Thus, a connection is made between the public area and the heart of the theatre, the stage The loft-like foyer is the heart of the building All functions have a direct or indirect connection to this hall, where there is much to discover and to do. The semitransparent voile façade at the entrance and the foyer, made of aluminium, provides a special play of light in the interior during the day and a festive and inviting atmosphere at night. The library welcomes everyone from the community, offering a wide range programme. The theatre’s diverse programming often reflects what’s happening in the community, city and region. Together with the café/restaurant, which is open every day, the venue plays an important role in the social fabric of Rotterdam-Zuid. The 600-seat main auditorium has a distinctive feature. An acoustic wall seemingly embraces the audience and performing artists in one fluid gesture. The design is crafted from 6,000 different triangular aluminium composite panels – an unexpected choice of material for a theatre. Algorithms calculated the positioning of the triangular panels to create excellent acoustics in the theatre without the need for soundproofing materials. Alongside serving an acoustic function, the red walls also refract the light, resulting in a dynamic yet subtle and warm play of colour.