The effort to save altered the plans for a new theater in Plzeň

photo: Contemporânea Lda

Plzeň - A different form is taking shape for the initial study of the new theater building in Plzeň. The original study proposed by Portuguese architects included the construction of a monolithic building with two underground floors; now, the Portuguese, together with Czech architects, have reached a variant based on the demands of the city and the theater for two connected buildings with one underground floor. The construction is to be taller but will take up less space. The changes have prompted efforts for a more economical solution, resulting in an architecturally more diverse and aesthetically interesting building, said theater director Jan Burian to reporters.
    The construction of the theater will cost hundreds of millions of crowns. Burian and representatives of the city do not want to specify the price further. A zoning decision is currently being discussed, and work is underway on the project for a building permit and documentation for a public competition. The materials will be ready by the end of September, and a tender could be announced at the beginning of 2011. Therefore, the city and the theater do not want to hint to potential future bidders for the theater's construction by revealing any amount. They believe that this way they can achieve a significantly better price. The construction itself will last 18 to 24 months, with the first performance expected to take place no later than 2014, said Deputy Mayor Marcela Krejsová.
    The project is based on the original Portuguese study that won in the competition. The building clearly states from the outside that it is intended for a theater. "We had to start thinking economically and make some changes that led to future savings. We abandoned the original idea that the theater would be half underground because construction underground is three times more expensive than above ground," Burian described. The total built-up area decreased as instead of the original back and two side stages, there is now only consideration for one back stage and one side stage. However, this has increased the space for a studio stage, which can accommodate up to 200 spectators. In addition, there will be a main stage in the theater with a hall for 500 people.
    The new spatial arrangement will also allow for the creation of an atrium, a gallery in the "inter-foyer," a different arrangement for the restaurant, which will be able to open to the city, and so on. The theater will also gain the much-needed fully-fledged rehearsal rooms, which it currently lacks. "For example, we still don't have an orchestra rehearsal room," Burian mentioned.
    The construction of the new theater, which will completely replace the utterly inadequate current chamber theater, is among the key projects in Plzeň's efforts to obtain the title of European Capital of Culture in 2015. Financing is expected to involve the city, while the city hall is also looking for other sources and grants. The theater will be open to the public throughout the day, ensuring the operation of opera, drama, operetta, musicals, as well as concerts, exhibitions, and a studio stage.