Archinect - News

Moscow design team transforms former movie house into a technological hub for business and innovation

2020-02-18T03:30:00-05:00

In 1977, the movie house, Novorossiysk, was constructed. During the 80's cinema clubs, lectures, and film festivals used the site to meet and showcase film. Here Muscovites (Moscow residents) had the opportunity to watch the films of Takeshi Kitano, Michael Haneke, Lars von Trier, and other foreign directors for the first time. Eventually, in the 1990s, the area became a platform for business development, business communication, training, and work.

Novorossiysk movie house before rennovation. Image courtesy of DBH, Moscow Agency of Innovations

After a significant renovation in 2017, the building turned into the Digital Business Space. The site's facade, interiors, and technical equipment were updated to reflect the area. The space was divided into different zones (foyers, classrooms, offices, digital workshops) where exhibitions, presentations, and lectures could be held. With the entire reconstruction cost close to $15 million the space became a new place for Moscow's business and ...

London-based architect Steven Chilton chats with Archinect to discuss the Wuxi Taihu Theatre in China

2019-12-26T19:46:00-05:00

When Archinect first covered the Wuxi Taihu Theatre project back in 2018, many were mesmerized by the theatre's alluring design and its resemblance to China's iconic bamboo rainforest. A year later, Archinect catches up with London-based architect Steven Chilton of SCA | Steven Chilton Architects, as he reflects on the theatre's recent grand opening and the project's completion.

Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre. Image © Kris Provoost

It's exciting to see the progress of the theatre. How has the year been for you since the theatre's completion?

Our work on the theatre finished earlier this year. Since then we have been working on a number of interesting and exciting projects in China and Saudi Arabia.

With the theatre's debut on the 22nd, how did you hope people would respond? The theatre really influences the surrounding area structurally but also culturally. It's a great representation of China's iconic bamboo forests.

We hope the audience found a connection with the architecture that reso...

Virtual reality used to recreate historic theatre

2019-08-19T19:55:00-04:00

With no photographic evidence of the theatre from when it first opened, Dr Arrighi and her team have scoured archival eyewitness accounts and architectural floor plans to recreate the theatre in the virtual world.

A group of researchers at University of Newcastle are working to recreate the Victoria Theatre, which opened in 1891. The effort is part of the Lost Theatres Project involving, 12 universities from across Australia and run by AusStage, a national performance database that provides open access to live performance from 1789 to today.

A new documentary series explores Flores & Prats' renovation of a Barcelona theatre

2018-02-15T15:23:00-05:00

Flores & Prats Architects have released a new documentary series, ESCALA 1:5, focusing on their design for Sala Beckett Theatre and International Drama Centre in Barcelona.

Sala Beckett Theatre facade, by Flores & Prats, located in Barcelona. Image: Adrià Goula.

The series consists of 5 episodes each 10 minutes long, produced by 15-L. Films and directed by Patricia Tamayo and Albert Badia. Retracing the journey behind the architectural renovation, this short series documents the space and the bond which ties the building to its neighborhood.

Still from 'ESCALA 1:5' series, by Flores & Prats. Image: Flores & Prats.

Starring architects Ricardo Flores and Eva Prats, the film also includes Toni Casares, the director of Sala Beckett, as well as Sergi Belbel, playwright and former director of the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, artists Soraya Smithson and Antoni Miralda, and designer Curro Claret.

Ticket box entry of Sala Beckett, by Flores & Prats, located in Barcelona. Image: Adrià Goul...

Kansas City's iconic Willis Wood Theater to be reproduced in Walt Disney World

2017-07-21T21:01:00-04:00

The company announced that a new live entertainment venue off the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street will be modeled after KC’s iconic, bygone Willis Wood Theatre. The original theater opened in 1902 at 11th and Baltimore streets and stretched for a block and a half. It was a cultural hub for the city before it burned down in January 1917.

Featuring large Ionic columns and Baroque embellishments, the Willis Wood Theater, was designed by Louis Curtiss, Canadian-born American architect noted as one of KC's most prominent architects. It is speculated that Walt Disney frequented the theater when he was living in KC. “It is consistent with the tradition with the Disney theme parks; he incorporated his life into every aspect of the parks,” said Dan Viets, who co-wrote Walt Disney’s Missouri with Star movie critic Robert W. Butler.

Brunel’s Thames Tunnel transformed into an underground theatre

2016-04-14T11:00:00-04:00

Called the Grand Entrance Hall, the underground space – opening today – will be run by The Brunel Museum and is set to host plays, operas, concerts and even weddings. Architects Tate Harmer breathed new life into the 1843 Grade II*-listed shaft – originally designed by civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his father Marc – adding a cantilevered staircase to make the 75ft-deep hall accessible.

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