KONINKLIJKE VLAAMSE SCHOUWBURG (KVS) - BOL
LOCATION
Brussels, Belgium
CLIENT
City of Brussels
AREA
4 436 sqm above ground (504 seats)
PROGRAM
Opera House
PROJECT
2006
STATUS
Built
2006 IMMOTRENDS BELGIAN BUILDING AWARDS
The not residential building award : Nominated
© Georges De Kinder - Benjamin Struelens
This project modernized the KVS theater in Brussels, blending historical restoration with a contemporary extension to provide state-of-the-art facilities for performances.
This project, led by the City of Brussels for the Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg, was awarded to A.2R.C following an international competition involving three firms: Jean Nouvel, Groep Planning, and A.2R.C. The latter teamed up with the ARTER firm for the restoration part of the project, ensuring a meticulous rehabilitation of the site. This extensive project, spanning several years (the construction began in May 2002 and completed in April 2006), tackles one of the most iconic monuments in Brussels, not only for its architectural and historical significance but also for its symbolic value in representing Flemish culture.
The intervention is divided into two main components: on the one hand, the modernization of the KVS's original building, and on the other hand, the construction of a new neighboring structure designed to provide KVS and its company with state-of-the-art facilities, fostering the creation of high-quality performances.
The restoration encompassed an exhaustive renovation of the façades, roofs, and balconies, in strict adherence to the original design by Jean Baes (1887), as well as the remaining façade of the old arsenal (1780). The entrance hall, foyer, and grand staircase also underwent careful restoration to preserve their original beauty.
As for the performance hall, it was entirely rebuilt. The previous hall, reconstructed in 1958, no longer met contemporary requirements in terms of stage design and visual comfort. It was demolished and replaced with a new Italian-style hall, decorated in black and white, with a seating capacity of 500 spectators. This new hall, equipped with a modular, mobile system, offers great flexibility in staging by rearranging the placement of the spectators and actors according to the performance's needs.
The project also involved lowering the stage level by approximately 2.40 meters, which allowed for an impressive stage height of 20.20 meters. This transformation enabled a direct access to the stage from the street through the old arsenal entrance, thus creating a more functional space.
The architecture of the project emphasizes a subtle contrast between the historic elements and a new, contemporary volume resembling a mysterious cocoon, enveloping the performance hall. This new structure, detached from the existing walls, is separated from the foyer by an atrium traversed by interior walkways, extending the exterior walkways and providing access to the hall. This design restores the continuity that once existed between the exterior corridors and the interior walkways. Lastly, a multifunctional room, with a capacity for 180 spectators, has been placed under the original metal roof trusses of the theater, further enhancing the venue's versatility.
