Young Stage, Theater Dortmund

The new “Junge Bühne” theater will be built right next to the Dortmund Schauspielhaus. JSWD’s striking design respects the historic sight lines while also serving as an impressive new addition to the urban fabric. The concept was designed to be coherent with the neighboring buildings. Despite its independent architectural structure, it forms an integral component of the overall theater complex.

Our cube-shaped new building rounds out Dortmund’s theater district with a distinctive and impressive facade. What previously had a “front” and “rear” is now an ensemble with two front sides. The copper cube serves as a fitting counterpart to the impressive copper dome above the opera foyer. The main foyer is perceived from the outside as an extension of the urban space.

The planned LED wall inside the foyer can project a variety of interactive installations specially designed for children and adolescents. This virtual art will be transmitted into the public space through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A suspended staircase and a “singing” elevator, which can play a variety of audio recordings, connect all the public levels of the “vertical theater.” We were also able to satisfy the children’s specific request for “a giant slide” between the hall level and the foyer.

In addition to a studio stage with around 140 seats and two rehearsal stages, the theater is also home to a main stage with up to 360 seats. It also has a height-adjustable orchestra pit and offers wheelchair spaces and seats designed for both children and adults. The hall is kept dark for practical reasons and features pleated, origami-like walls that are both aesthetically pleasing and serve an acoustic function. The spatial concept is rounded out by multicolored stairs.

Solar panels on the roof provide a portion of the building’s energy and, together with the green roofs, make an important contribution to climate protection. The building will also be barrier-free.