03. Kinder Und Jugendliche Theater Frankfurt

Competition, Berlin, 2021 GMP Architekten

Cooporated in: Concept design, design development, planning, 3D modelin and presentation

The aim of the competition was renovation and adaptation of historical Zoogesellschaftshaus building. For that improvement of the circulation and repositionning of some functions should have been taken effect and some minor and major changes needed to be done in the building interiors.

Original design (Josef Durm and Adam Friedrich Kaysser) dates back to 1875. Zoogesellschaftshaus suffered from war demolitions, and underwent two major interventions (1960‘s and late 1980’s). Currently, the building potential is not fully used. Two main functions are to be placed in the building: Children’s Theatre (Kinder- und Jugendtheaterhaus) and the Administration of Frankfurt Zoo. This emerged the need of separation between circulation and function of different areas in the building.

The main design concept focuses on creating an ‚Open House ‘– inviting all the citizens. Central big hall serves as main performance venue for 450 people. It is also possible to divide it into two smaller halls, 200 spectators each.

East-north bird view West bird view

One of the main issues of the competition was how to avoid unwanted circulation between the children theatre (Kinder - und Jugendtheaterhaus) and the administration of Frankfurt Zoo. This happens differently in every floor depending on the quality of the rooms and a study on requirement of the space (area and height) for each room, and connection between the different functions. the main idea was to have the functions related to zoo closer to the east facade (facing zoo) and to allocate the rest of the areas to the theatre. In some cases, these two functions share a room, mostly when there is the common gathering or exhibition area.

the first and the last floor are where most of the public functions are taking place, and where most visitor will use.

To have the good quality space in the last floor a new roof design, by having an eye into historical roof is done. This historic roof was made out of wooden beams and columns and was almost completely destroyed and replaced with the new flat roof later. Ground floor plan

4th floor plan

East-north prespective

The newly designed roof is symmetrical and offering a more generous place for practise rooms for theatre and for the visitors of the theatre. They can also enjoy the view to the city from the highest point of the building.

The west facade, facing city side and having the main entrance of the building (theatre zone) is filled with public functions: Children’s Theatre Foyer, Multifunctional Balcony Hall and Foyer for Workshop and Rehearsal Stages on the top, with the view of famous Frankfurt Skyline. They are connected by generous stairs, that can also serve as auditorium seats. Administration of the Zoo is located on the other side, facing the green areas of Zoologischer Garten. The office and exhibition functions are placed behind new, glazed facade. Two of the facades of the building is supposed to be kept and the east and south facade where subject to the new design. (They were changed several times during the intervention phases. The main concept for facade design was to represent the original classical design of the building. It’s slender columns, and classical rhythm, correspond with the original state and order, which was changed during the late 80’s renovation.

Interior render, showing the stairs and balconsaal

Program distribution diagram

Theatres are place in a cube in the heart of the building. this box is visible through having a distinguished volume extruding out of the building. and also having a different covering material for the interior walls. the white straws are showing the position of the box in the building and making it more pleasant for the children theatre.