Mariinsky II Theatre St. Peterburg

  • Design: 2003
  • Realisation: -
  • Client: Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre
  • Gross Floor Area: 65,000m2
Mariinsky II Theatre St. Peterburg

The Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg is one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the Russian Federation. Together with the adjacent Theatre Square and Conservatory, it creates an ensemble of 19th and 21st century cultural buildings in the city centre. The technical and organisational complexity of the new theatre is so vast and diverse that much of the building is not in need of one archetypal form. Rather it likens itself to a cityscape; To extend the 19th century iconic building, Erick van Egeraat proposed a design that is decidedly contemporary, but does not compete with the existing building and respects the architectural identity of the city. The extension makes a reference to the St. Petersburg city block which is typically made up of series of individual volumes, each with a distinctive character and appearance and precisely defined in terms of movement and height. The building is clad in a range of materials, mainly stucco, brass and natural stone. To scale down the usually massive appearance of the fly tower, it is designed as part of a series of high volumes, each with their own program. They appear to envelope an open air performance area on the rooftop.

From the front-of-house area to back stage, the various volumes of the new Mariinsky provide spaces of different tone and character. The use of natural stone and glass articulates the entrance and foyer and generates a dramatic pattern of light and shade that gradually softens the atmosphere from the cool exterior to the warm and contemporary character of the auditorium. Alabaster galleries allow the glow from the auditorium to penetrate into the surrounding foyer making the artistic intention visible from the foyer and the street. The invitation to participate in the prestigious international competition for the extension of the famous Mariinsky Theatre provided Erick van Egeraat with the opportunity to further explore the possibilities of his "Modern Baroque". Challenged by the intricate detailing and materialization of the classical architecture of the existing theatre, and supported by his extensive experience in theatre design in the UK and the Netherlands, his proposal for the Mariinsky is an outstanding example of his quest for contemporary architecture.

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