<Jěštěd> in the cage 10 - 2nd place

The task reacted to a specific request from the investor for an inexpensive village theater for 50 to 80 people, which is currently operated in rented facilities. The proposal for the theater with accommodation for the family and actors is located in Janov, a village near Litomyšl, where the builder purchased a plot of land measuring 1200 m² for this purpose.
The land is situated in a valley by a stream that winds through the village and defines its linear character.

The size and orientation of the plot significantly influenced the approach to this building, where it was most effective to place all functions in one building. The terrain slopes from west to east and descends approximately three meters. Below ground level in the western part is a storage area, while the eastern part houses family rooms that overlook the garden and nearby trees. The main entrance for the theater is oriented towards the pond, where it would be possible to expand the theater with a temporary outdoor stage. The hall is illuminated by southwestern light entering through narrow slits. On the northern side, the house has its back.

The most suitable form for the operation of a village theater appears to be a barn. However, the new construction of the theater should appear more dignified and prominent than an ordinary barn; it should attract attention. The building might provoke some, arouse curiosity in others, but at the same time, it attracts with its aesthetic and radiating calmness.
Rossi writes in his autobiography that nothing in the theater can be random, nor can it ever be permanently solved. It is a peculiar dwelling with a strange mixture of engineering and fantasy.

From the outside, a black wooden asphalt hut conceals concrete backdrops that form a black horizon, a curtain, but also boxes. These inserted volumes clearly define the space of the hall and the background for the family and actors. The whole structure is under an arched wooden roof, floating eleven meters above the visitors' heads. The entire interior is gray so as not to distract from the theatrical performance. The starkness of the concrete and weathered wood is contrasted by the colors of the people and costumes.

Operation
The visitor approaches from the direction of the stream, where they can already see the large open gates (3.7x3.7 m) with heavy iron fittings leading into a vestibule, which also serves as a smoking area or summer terrace. Given the principles of contemporary theater stages, a multifunctional variable space appears to be the most advantageous. In this specific case, there is no need to build tiered seating for such a small number of visitors.
To enable the hall to be transformed as quickly as possible into a pub or cleared out after a performance, there is an opening in the floor leading to the storage area, and a pulley hangs from the ceiling. Pulleys are also used to suspend light bulbs, which are lowered over the tables after the performance, creating a more intimate lighting. During the performance, the hall is illuminated by standing theater lamps from the balconies.
Other operations connect to the hall, including public (toilets), semi-private (club room, kitchen), and private (changing room, living quarters, etc.).

The house also has two private entrances, one from the garden and the other from the access road, which is situated to the west. These doors are not visible at first glance on the façade so as not to distract from the main entrance while also connecting to the family changing room, which is located along the ramp.