Reconstruction of Reduta Theatre
Motto: The building should not be perceived as a mere sum of all old, preserved elements and newly designed elements, but as a harmonic unit, for which a precise proportional, spatial, colour and lighting balance needs to be found, thus revealing the spiritual dimension in our actions that transcends us all. Unpreserved historical decoration should be found transformed in contemporary art, thus returning to the historically tried-and-tested joint working of art and architecture in order to create
a ceremonial atmosphere.
HISTORY. The building of the Reduta Theatre in Zelny trh is thought to be the oldest theatre building in Central Europe (first built in the 16th century). Famous pastness of building reminded W. A. Mozart , that play piano here in his young. After many renovations and fires, its derelict condition meant it was closed down at the start of the 1990s.
RENOVATION. The renovation concept involves restoring the original ground plans according to preserved archive materials, and at the same time resolving contemporary needs with a legibly inserted, spatially and materially precise form. We restored the original layout around the arcaded courtyard. We located the necessary amenities in legibly inserted, built-in containers sheathed in opaque glass. The Reduta theatre hall was equipped with built-in elevation of the theatre stage and again became a space suited to ceremonial events and functions.
An entire theatre hall, including technical and operational rooms situated in inserted mezzanines beneath the hall and atrium, was fitted into the east wing of the former marketplace. The building has two staircases, two elevators and an additional protected fire escape leading from the auditorium into Kvetinarska street. A glass light well and historical cast steel beams remain visible to the theatregoers, thus becoming part of the interior of the theatre hall. A darkening system will make it possible to rehearse in daylight.
The historical decoration in the interiors was not preserved. For that reason, we looked for contemporary artwork that would have some tie with baroque decoration we opted for artist Petr Kvicala. Large painting, painted directly onto the wall, in the MozartŽs Hall is evoking an atmosphere and at once with its rhythm, stracification and variability gives to the space human scale and new life. The cafe came to the captivity of silver lines which foregrounding scheme of vaultings - the space is given some new level as it still stays pleasant civil place. An ornament rendered i cherry wood trimmed with white brass, inscribed into terazzo floor, lends a special touch to the vestibule.
The terms of reference dictated that the buildings basement areas were not to be touched, but should be left accessible for possible future use.