Municipal theatre, Frankfurt/Main
Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.
(Rosa Luxemburg)
A proposal was developed for the Frankfurt-Praunheim site for Frankfurt Municipal Theatre when considering the option of moving the technical department out of the inner city altogether.
The concept behind the proposal takes into account the topographical situation and the site conditions which are assumed based on the geostructure of more elevated strata.
By arranging the essential functions at level – 2, i.e. 5.5 metres below the upper terrain and 2 metres below the lower terrain, adjacent to the lower site level in the southeast, it is possible firstly to bring the structure into closer proximity with the load-bearing strata, and secondly to achieve spatial and functional accessibility on the upper level for public use.
The low and restrained design of the structural elements means that there is nothing to prevent compatibility with subsequent construction work. Opportunities for developing adjacent sites are not compromised. The complex can therefore easily be integrated into a later development, and will not prove a hindrance either spatially or in terms of its urban architecture.
The workshops, props room and practice stages are located, in accordance with their functions, on one floor ( – 2 m). The requisite daylight orientation can be achieved for the various functional areas at this level by integrated courtyards or large clerestory windows in the workshop areas.
The other areas where daylight is required (workshop management, break rooms and canteen) are at level + 5.5 m and are connected with the workshop area by vertical lines of communication.
Every area is accessible to HGVs through a covered central delivery yard (clearance height = 5 m). No access into the functional areas themselves is proposed, because of the greater expense in terms of mechanical services, which would be involved. The selected room layout ensures short routes for all functional links required between the props room, workshops and practice stages. The layout is designed so that the technical areas are located above rooms where only low headroom is needed.