Współczesny Theatre in Szczecin

 

Invited to participate in the competition for the new Współczesny Theatre in Szczecin in Poland, our office saw its proposal selected among the finalist projects. This distinction highlights our ability to address the challenges of major European cultural facilities and continues our ongoing research into large-scale public programmes, where architecture becomes a driver of urban regeneration.

The Concept: A Machine for Creation
The project is structured around two guiding ideas. First, the liberation of the ground plane: by making the performance halls “float,” we return a vast covered public space at ground level to the citizens. This void becomes an urban agora, a sheltered passage naturally connecting the city to the river. Second, the transparency of craftsmanship: beneath a large “protective bell,” the building reveals its backstage areas. The work of artisans, technicians, and scenographers becomes an integral part of the urban landscape.

Material and Light
The Łasztownia site calls for a response that is both lightweight and structuring. The use of a steel exoskeleton allows for large spans while preserving the slenderness of the structure, paying tribute to Szczecin’s harbour heritage. This envelope acts as a passive climatic shield: it filters light and regulates temperature, reducing energy demand while providing the foyer with a constant opalescent clarity.

The Journey Experience
Circulation within the theatre is designed to be intuitive. A network of suspended walkways and terraces — inspired by stage machinery — connects the different levels. This fluid pathway does more than simply distribute spaces: it offers unique perspectives onto the city and the creative activity within, transforming the visitor into an active participant in an architecture that itself becomes a performance.

Technical Data: 

  • Performance Spaces
    • Main Hall: 450 seats (large-scale productions)
    • “Studio Stage”: 90 to 200 seats (modular stage)
    • Community Stage: 100 to 240 seats (experimentation and educational activities)
  • Partner: RYSY Architekci
  • Coordination: VisionLab

 

client
Współczesny Theatre in Szczecin
competition
Finalist Project (International Invited Competition)
year
2026
area
33 000 m2
photos
Atelier Crilo (Roma)