image © UNStudio

Vote on draft Theater aan de Parade!

Residents of 's-Hertogenbosch have until June 7 to vote for their favorite design. You can vote only with DigiD. This is to ensure that only participants 'S-Hertogenbosch once voting. The municipality has a large group of local residents and interest groups focused invited to vote. Their vote will determine 50% of the final result. In addition, each resident can vote via the website or before a paper ballot request. The municipality collects a sampling of 5,000 people. The preference of the latter two groups of voters determines the other 50% of the results. ’’New Theater aan de Parade’ in ‘s-Hertogenbosch will be designed by either UNStudio or Ector Hoogstad Architects and now the voting process is now open! There are two different gualitative designs competing for the new theatre and this is entirely focusing on local residents demands where the spacial qualities of design met with the requests of local residents.

Ben Van Berkel from UNStudio said ''Our design is a theater that really help 'S-Hertogenbosch hear. It fits into the historic center, but is also focused on the future in which all citizens will welcome. "

image © UNStudio

UNStudio explains its design approach in the website in more deatils; the relationship with the surrounding buildings and the adjacent public square (‘the Parade’) forms the basis for the design of the Theater aan de Parade (Theatre on the Parade), with the massing of the building resulting in four shifting cubes protruding above the nearby treetops.

image © UNStudio

In order to cause as little hindrance as possible to immediate neighbours, the two auditoria are designed as enclosed volumes clad in natural stone, while the facades of the public spaces are constructed from glass, so that the theatre building and the public square seamlessly merge and visitors become part of the show. The main stairway with glass balustrades forms the heart of the vertical foyer, which extends over four levels and is 19 meters in height.

image © UNStudio

The four volumes of the theatre frame the views to include the nearby St. John’s Cathedral and the Parade Square. The volume housing the larger of the two auditoria is partially sunken below ground, thereby ensuring that the building remains low and that sightlines to the St. John’s Cathedral are maintained. A terrace on the third floor offers visitors further unobscured views of the city.

image © UNStudio

The floor of the foyer runs level to the ‘Parade’, enabling the theatre to form a natural extension of the square. Guests can directly access the small auditorium via the theatre café. The floor of the main auditorium, slightly recessed below ground level, provides a natural buffer to noise hindrance for the immediate surroundings, while the smaller auditorium houses a flexible stage and retractable seating, enabling a variety of performance types. At the rear of the theatre, windows enable natural light to flood the the interior, however by means of treated glass, neighbours are contrastingly not hindered by light emanating from the building.

image © UNStudio

During public events on the Parade Square, such as the traditional annual carnival,  the doors to the theatre café can be opened and the internal sliding wall moved, thereby connecting the small auditorium with the public space and leading guests directly into the heart of the theatre. Offices are located on the second and third floors. The third floor also houses the VIP foyer, which is adjacent to the terrace that enjoys views towards St. John’s cathedral.

image © UNStudio

The logistics for the theatre are carried out entirely underground by means of an innovative system that results in no inconvenience or interruption to the Parade Square. Trucks load and unload in the cellar, while goods are transported internally via elevators. The changing rooms and hospitality service spaces are also located in the cellar.

image © UNStudio

image © UNStudio

The other finalist of the competition is Ector Hoogstad Architects and Joost Ector from Ector Hoogstad Architects said "We have a lot of fun designed a beautiful theater for all inhabitants of the city, entirely devoted to meet, share and connect." 

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

The theater is proud, festive and inviting. The design fits the Parade. The format is simple: a brick building containing the stage tower of the large hall and the Parade Hall. The brickwork is rich in texture and color similar to the ocher and gray hues of the sandstone from which the ship of the St. John was built. Thus refer to the cathedral and the theater - as distinguished people present in the city - together. Here and there are golden glazed bricks recorded. They give the theater a festive sparkle. Semi-translucent glass ensures that the flytowers cancel out the air in the daytime. In the evening they glow softly as lanterns.

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

You go to the theater for a fantastic experience, an impressive and funny show, a business networking event, just for a drink or to party with a few thousand other visitors! Theater aan de Parade is inviting, the whole building is accessible for the disabled and the grand café and foyer are a natural extension of the square. Everywhere nice connections between inside and outside created.

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

As a passerby example you get a look behind the scenes: from the street you can see from above the stage. Large windows also provide natural light and views. On the first floor you can sit outside and enjoy the view of the parade from the large balcony.

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

Through the main entrance you enter the foyer, flanked by the café in the Parade. The foyer can be assigned as desired, for big and small companies. A big theatrical staircase to the first floor can also be used as an additional stage for small performances or lecture prior to the performance. 

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

On each floor there is a lobby that can change along with the halls in a large party room. The oak floors are robust and low maintenance, the walls have an oak-paneled walls and ceilings provide the colorful atmosphere and identity.

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

For a theatrical atmosphere both the rooms have dark wood walls, red plush chairs and gold accents. The main theater is compact and has a wonderful acoustics. There is room for almost 1,000 visitors and as an audience you sit close to the stage. The side balconies create an embracing gesture that the artist feels welcome. Parade Hall has over 400 seats that can roadside assistance. Much of sliding walls is cut off and the room merges into the surrounding foyer. Therefore, the hall is suitable for all kinds of events; chamber music or pop concert, Information or dinner dance and of course Carnival!

foyer of the building; image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

Also the artists and staff of the theater is expected. Different levels are changing rooms and offices. The artists have a beautiful foyer on the third floor with plenty of daylight and a rooftop terrace. Lots of greenery around the terraces ensures privacy from neighbors. In the changing rooms and offices are small loggias and roof terraces for even more light. All the backstage areas are clearly and logically arranged. Many facility rooms are in the basement. The logistics is done entirely underground. Materials and goods go with lifts to the right place.Even the trucks loading and unloading in the basement. 

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

image © Ector Hoogstad Architects

Get more information for voting from the website below

> via s-hertogenbosch.nl/theater/