Extension of Thalia Theatre Complex
We won a competition 2009 for an extension of an urban “cultural tanker” that has been ex-tended several times since the 1950ies for several cultural institutions in the center of Graz.
Taking the maximum permitted volumes as a starting point we worked out a complex geome-try with an optimized structural design whose differently inclined areas of roof and wall, inci-sions and openings respond precisely to the inhomogeneous existing building and surround-ings.
In designing the form we took into account a variety of parameters such as the building line in the narrow Girardigasse, the possible structural loads, the optimal entry of light, the best views, the fitness studio´s requirements and the insertion of the building in its setting.
The roof top addition is about 80 m long up to 38 meters wide and is wound in a carefully balanced way like a neck support around the fly tower. In the west, where the addition is up to three storeys high, the pool rests on foundations made earlier. From the terrace incised in the northern side of the homogenous roof skin made of perforated aluminium panels coated in turquoise green, one has a view of the copper roof of the Opera House. The floor above was used by the client for offices that are rented to the Theaterholding. The eastern end of the building volumes rest on the outside walls of the stage set assembly hall, whose construction spans 25 metres and was strengthened by the addition of ring beams to take the load of the new addition above.
Illustration
