2. A new hub.
10 m
Existing plan with transformation scheme
Proposed plan with rendering of materials
n fo o o
Bird -eye vie wN ort hw ith
r
10 m
Dressing area A
Dressing area B
Technical Multifunctional area
xis la rsa
B6
Service entrance
Stage WC B2
B1
1. Beyond modernity.
B4 +0 .4 m
Stage and temporary exhibition area
B5
0.6
+ 1.6 m
.
+0
m
2m +
aped as seating k sh roc ite ran ag
In order to substantiate the proposed interventions, a transformation of the theatre layout has been drafted, first of all. In opposition to today’s plan, that showcases a closed space situated to the side of the central crossroad of the park, a strategic opening of the theatre and the integration of the theatre and the pathways shape the proposal. Indeed, by means of a transversal axis, the theatre space and the pathways create a sort of roundabout, a new hub for the park. Moreover, this axis does not cut throughout the theatre, only, but extends to the pathways. In this way, a flow of people through the theatre is ensured when no theatre activities take place. Additional entrances and sloped paths enable a diffused accessibility. This notwithstanding, the punctual opening of the theatre permits to exploit, if needed, the closed character of the original space. All this enables the use for organized events, where control and the closure of the space are inevitable. In this way, the mono-functionality and the modern abandonment start to be rewritten at their roots.
e sv an Tr
Mo cku po f
B3
+ 0.4 m A6 + 0.6 m
+ 0.8 m
+ 1.0 m
view -eye Bird
+ 1.2 m A5 + 1.4 m
East with roof on
Roof projection
+ 1.6 m
+ 1.8 m
The clover, i.e. trifolium pratense, is main planting of the theatre-landscape. Clover is a diffused herbaceous planting in Ukraine. This is resistant to climatic variations, as well as to walking. So, it is useful to develop green surfaces and infills within the pavement. Morevoer, this plant blooms during spring and summer, with small pink and white flowers, the color of which does resonate with the deep blue nuances of the Ukrainian Volga blue granite.
The removable roof is a “cloud”.
None of the existing trees must be removed.
Inspired by the Cherkasy atmosphere and Rafael Soto art, this roof is a cloud of translucent fabric, i.e. ETFE, that handles climate and sound experiences.
The proposed layout aims at integrating the existing trees in the design, so as to respect the existing landscape and blur the theatre within the park’s forest.
Projection room
+ 2.0 m
Removable roof storage
▲ WC and ticket office
+ 1.8 m
+ 1.6 m
Isometric view North with roof removed
Cherkasy forest ►
+ 1.0 m
A3
A5
ew
sta ge the sta ge as te Vi m e
B4
+ 0.6 m
A ea 6 sp ath wa y
Isometric view West, along the main crossway, with roof removed
+ 0.4 m
+ 0.2 m
Vi e
w
Vi
ce spa art ry ra po B5 w
Vi e
w A4 to the
the sea Vi tin e
s ck ro as 3 B w
w
B2
The Ukrainian Volga blue granite is main stone of the seating as rocks
ew
g
the en tra nc Vi e f e
Vi
Vi e
om A2 the av enu e
A3
ew
ew Vi tag ts us thr the
Vi
ew Vi vie nic sce the
A1
+ 0.8 m
et stre the m ro B1 w
Finally, natural references inform all of the architectural features: drainages turn into waterfalls, the seating of the theatre into rocks (that are natural but shaped to offer a good sitting place), and the removable roof into a cloud made of translucent fabric (that handle rain, shadow, and acoustics of the theatre). While the materials elaborate on the Ukrainian repertoire of stones, most of all the unique Volga blue granite, a local herbaceous planting is introduced, i.e. the clover. In such landscape, natural events do not ask for a steady maintenance of the theatre, neither their happening offers a feeling of abandonment.
+ 1.4 m
+ 1.2 m
ew Vi fr e nc tra en the
4. Another nature.
Rafael Soto art ►
3. Across the landscape.
Clover ▼
Volga blue granite ▲
Color palette
With the proposed transversal axis, an architectural promenade has been drafted, elaborating on natural materials and features, that enable the acceptance of the natural processes. The main intervention happens at the level of topography, with the stairs, ramps, and few green walls that drive the users but blur the space of the theatre in the surrounding landscape. Consequently, the stage becomes part of the landscape, too, and the existing architectural features start to be useful for other functions, i.e. the temporary display of public art, the serendipitous meeting of people, the use of space for informal sports activities, etc...
A4 + 2.0 m
The problem of modern heritage is not an aesthetic one. Indeed, modern architecture is often beautiful and inspiring. The Sylvan Theatre in Cherkasy is no exception. Now, this is ruined, but the white forms and the interplay of nature and the theatre still offer a unique aesthetic experience. From our point of view, this is something that should be preserved. Therefore, rather than the reconstruction of the theatre, we suggest an unconventional renovation. + The actual problem of modern heritage is situated in the difficulty of management of maintenance. The feeling of abandonment that we often encounter in modern heritage stems from this, actually. More precisely, this problem derives from three peculiarities of modern architecture: 1. buildings are mono-functional; 2. buildings are fully open or fully closed, with no intermediate conditions; 3. buildings are designed and developed without proper consideration of natural processes. Essentially, these aspects cooperate to transform the buildings in a burden of management and maintenance: monofunctionality implies long periods of uselessness, open-close dichotomy turns uselessness in a burden of policing and control, man-nature dichotomy finally turns uselessness into an unsustainable problem of maintenance, while policing and control become a sort of hysteria. + Because of this, we propose a set of interventions to renovate the Sylvan Theatre in Cherkasy: 1. the introduction of the informal functions of the park into the theatre, so as to increase the utility; 2. the strategic opening and development of the boundaries of the theatre, so as to enable both opening and closure; 3. the integration of natural features as furniture and aesthetic solutions, so as to acknowledge and integrate natural processes within the theatre.
w
B6
A2
Isometric view South with roof removed
Removable roof ►
10 m
Proposed section along the transversal axis
A theatre-landscape with granite stones, clover, and an artificial cloud Sylvan Theatre renovation, Cherkasy, Ukraine
Isometric view East, along the main crossway, with roof removed