Conversion Theatre 11

Photograph by Hannes Henz, courtesy of EM2N.

Words from the Architect

Musical.

Nowadays musical theatres are inherent parts of our urban cultural landscape. There is a correlation between the establishment of this popular performing art and the choice of unconventional venues. Former industrial halls often give the musicals a special atmosphere. Both the rich industrial history of the location Oerlikon and the prominent neighbourhood to the Hallenstadion and Messe Zurich (trade fair) offer in this respect ideal conditions for a musical theatre.

Photograph by Hannes Henz, courtesy of EM2N.

Urban development / Architecure.

When starting to work on the competition it soon became evident that a "gentle" conversion was not possible within the financial and technical framework. Only a strategy dealing in a radical way with the existing building fabric could succeed. Demolishing the original Stadthof provided the chance of realising a customized building.

Photograph by Hannes Henz, courtesy of EM2N.

A new spatial layer was placed around the laid open and enlarged stage and auditorium, which develops its height in a way that the highest point is reached at the corner of Thurgauer-/Wallisellenstrasse, thus proclaiming a confident urban attitude. This simple volumetric gesture mediates between the opposite Hallenstadion and the adjoining small-scale residential houses at Birnbaumstrasse.

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