Baden State Theatre, Karlsruhe (DE)

The State Theater, so called “Badisches Staatstheater” in the centre of Karlsruhe is one of the most successful opera and theatre houses in Germany. The “Große Haus” and the “Kleine Haus” as well as a studio are located in a building complex from 1975, which is to be extended and completely renovated. Plans call for the construction of a new theatre with an integrated Young State Theater as well as workshops and new rehearsal rooms for the musicians.
The design proposal suggests enclosing the existing building on three sides like a second shell. The original building remains visible towards the entrance. The metal façade made of micro-perforated sheet metal gives the complex a new architectural identity. Young theatre, studio stage, orchestra rehearsal hall, various rehearsal stages and the assembly hall should be present in the cityscape and communicate with the outside world. In this way, the Young State Theater and the orchestra rehearsal room open up to the public and make theatre work visible.
Starting from this basic idea, the new room concept was structured to optimize the complex functions of the house: The new-shared foyer creates synergies and a space for communication, accommodation and catering. The restructured and expanded workshops are conneted directly to performance venues, sufficient supply areas and rehearsal stages.

Client: Land Baden-Württemberg, Stadt Karlsruhe
Architecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller
Competition: 2014, 1st prize ex aequo
Area: 34,630 m²

Partner
acoustics: Müller BBM, Planegg / stage: itv Veranstaltungstechnik, Berlin / landscape: Balliana-Schubert, Zürich