Barbora Fraňková - 3rd prize
Student competition of the Faculty of Architecture CTU: New summer stage in Český Krumlov
Atelier Cikán - Buš, Institute of Heritage Care Faculty of Architecture CTU
NEW EXPERIMENTAL THEATER STAGE IN ČESKÝ KRUMLOV
The new stage in Český Krumlov is a theater in the landscape. In the design, the element of water is chosen as a medium of movement, transforming the theatrical narrative. But how to move across the water's surface? The inspiration comes from the plant structure of water lilies, which cluster into solid planes, leaf by leaf. Every theater has its own resources, and in this case, they are represented by a modular floating platform. A theater on the water’s surface is no longer limited to rotating around its axis; it offers any configuration of the relationship between the audience and the theatrical event. A completely neutral, clean space is provided for the creators, unburdened by unnecessarily specific architectural interventions that would dominate the surrounding landscape.
The theater stage – the water element becomes part of the story of the surrounding environment. It revitalizes the path behind the castle wall and connects the town with Kvítkový dvůr. It continues the clear geometry of the baroque garden. The terrain in the defined area slopes to the south, where the theater's background is hidden; the water surface equalizes the area to the same level. This creates a parallel to the equally designed pool, which is part of the formal baroque garden. The new water element, on the other hand, is a simple and clear intervention into the informal environment. The only other modification is the transformation of the path behind the garden into a paved surface, suggesting that we are in a special place, a kind of foyer for the open-air theater.
An important fact when designing the new open-air theater is that the space will serve cultural events for only a few hours a day and only in the warm months. For the rest of the time, it must also offer something else. The design by day does not resemble a theater stage, does not dominate the surrounding landscape; it is more like a park, an unusual place without references to anything specific, a place for relaxation of the mind and rest.
The proposed stage is also adapted for holding concerts, screenings, and other productions. Český Krumlov is a city with an unusually wide range and quantity of social events, and thus an additional cultural platform is welcome. It should not become just a tourist attraction (as it is today); it should offer a creative environment for contemporary theater.
The new stage in Český Krumlov is a theater in the landscape. In the design, the element of water is chosen as a medium of movement, transforming the theatrical narrative. But how to move across the water's surface? The inspiration comes from the plant structure of water lilies, which cluster into solid planes, leaf by leaf. Every theater has its own resources, and in this case, they are represented by a modular floating platform. A theater on the water’s surface is no longer limited to rotating around its axis; it offers any configuration of the relationship between the audience and the theatrical event. A completely neutral, clean space is provided for the creators, unburdened by unnecessarily specific architectural interventions that would dominate the surrounding landscape.
The theater stage – the water element becomes part of the story of the surrounding environment. It revitalizes the path behind the castle wall and connects the town with Kvítkový dvůr. It continues the clear geometry of the baroque garden. The terrain in the defined area slopes to the south, where the theater's background is hidden; the water surface equalizes the area to the same level. This creates a parallel to the equally designed pool, which is part of the formal baroque garden. The new water element, on the other hand, is a simple and clear intervention into the informal environment. The only other modification is the transformation of the path behind the garden into a paved surface, suggesting that we are in a special place, a kind of foyer for the open-air theater.
An important fact when designing the new open-air theater is that the space will serve cultural events for only a few hours a day and only in the warm months. For the rest of the time, it must also offer something else. The design by day does not resemble a theater stage, does not dominate the surrounding landscape; it is more like a park, an unusual place without references to anything specific, a place for relaxation of the mind and rest.
The proposed stage is also adapted for holding concerts, screenings, and other productions. Český Krumlov is a city with an unusually wide range and quantity of social events, and thus an additional cultural platform is welcome. It should not become just a tourist attraction (as it is today); it should offer a creative environment for contemporary theater.
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