Quick action yields gem

Convert a cinema into a modern, multipurpose theatre with training facilities within one year. We received this request from the municipality of Tilburg in early 2008. That we succeeded in delivering the central hall and foyer in early 2009 can be called remarkable. When the new theatre was called 'a gem' in the media to boot, it is easy to see why we were rather satisfied with this 'quick project'. The municipality of Tilburg and the operator of the theatre, MIDI Theater B.V., have developed a low-threshold theatre with training facilities. The public, performers, students, television producers and radio producers can meet each other in the casual environment of this multi-purpose building. In addition, this theatre creates a space for traineeships for the many theatre programmes at Tilburg schools.

 A lovely example of post-war architecture, the old Midi cinema was designed by the Tilburg architect Jos Schijvens and completed in 1959. The old cinema space is a very remarkable space, an auditorium many Tilburg citizens have fond memories of and that has a strong place in the collective memory. The features of this room are primarily the vaulted, 'concealed' design and material use, with vertical wooden slats. Reinforcing the original quality was a starting point for our design. The originally grand, monumental entrance façade regains its power thanks to the materials chosen. In the conversion of the cinema into a theatre, we also reinforced the existing qualities of the space as much as possible, while also rendering the space suitable for its new function. The same applies to the existing foyer. In addition, as much extra foyer space has been created as possible, in the form of a new 'downstairs foyer' cum media café in the basement. This basement was also excavated to create storage space and dressing rooms for performers. The original director's home at the front was converted into offices. The space for the two rehearsal areas was found where the roof garden was originally located. The 3-storey new construction volume at this site connects the front building with the rear building. Here we could create rehearsal spaces without having to perform much demolition. The technical space was placed above the rehearsal spaces.