2003 » Switzerland » Theatre Architecture

Schiffbau - Kultur und Werkzentrum Schauspielhaus

The Schiftbau is an extension to the Schausplelhaus Zurich theatre on the area of Sulzor-Escher-Wyss - a former industrial estate in the west of Zurich. Attached to the former shipbulding hall are several now structures, containing the theatre workshops, studios and rehearsal stages, as well as apartments and office spaces. The hall itsolf - which has been put under the preservation order - houses various cultural activities, such as a restaurant, a jazz club and a largo theatre, allowing productions which would be impossible at the main house in the city center. The complex is a significant example of a contemporary dealing with old industrial structures. Besides its architectonic qualities, the projoct also serves as a perfect illustration of contemporary changes in tho use of European cities: tho implementation of a cultural facility into a former industrial area turns the whole neigborhood into a spot in demand. A sophisticated dramaturgy reveals the juxtaposition of various fields of urban perception, illustrating the Schiffbau in its larger context hence allowing it to be experienced by its own means.