Snøhetta Architects Visited Construction Site of Bolshoi Theatre Branch in Kaliningrad

Photos:  Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founder and Director of the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, Vladimir Lavlentsev, Stroytransgaz General Director, and Vladimir Urin, Bolshoi Theatre General Director.

As part of a working visit, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founder and director of the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, visited the construction site of the cultural and educational centre in Kaliningrad. The concept of the branch of the Bolshoi Theatre was developed by this firm. Stroytransgaz General Director Vladimir Lavlentsev, Bolshoi Theatre General Director Vladimir Urin and the representatives of GORKA also took part in the visit.

"The main goal of the meeting of all parties involved in the construction is to finalize all layout solutions, approve the concept of the design project of the Bolshoi Theatre branch in order not to hold back the detailed design, and to proceed with the construction," said Stroytransgaz General Director Vladimir Lavlentsev.

The Opera and Ballet Theatre in Kaliningrad is being built on Oktyabrsky Island. The branch concept was developed by Snøhetta, Norway, and the Russian designer GORKA Group is responsible for adapting it to Russian conditions and standards. The project is being implemented by Stroytransgaz.

"We have set up excellent communication with all the construction stakeholders.  We always stay up to date, and all discussions as to the shape, space, volume have been completed by now. We are beginning to discuss what materials we will select for the building. After working online and looking at each other through a computer monitor, it is great to come here and see everything with your own eyes, to meet in person the people with whom we have been cooperating for so long," said Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founder and director of Snøhetta.

According to the architectural concept, the theatre building shaped as a hyperbolic paraboloid will have three zones: public spaces, a stage complex and back of house. The large hall will have 950 seats and the small hall will have 300. They intend to make a functional roof; it can be another stage for performances on warm days.

"When we conceived the construction of the theatre, we assumed that in addition to the fact that an opera and ballet troupe would work here, it would be a venue that would be able, based on its technical parameters, to accommodate any, even the largest touring group from our country and from abroad so that it could also be a rental area," said Vladimir Urin, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre.

The architects sought to create a minimalist space in the building that will have an authentic look even after many years of service. In addition, a spectacular diagonal layout of the Opera and Ballet Theatre will provide its unique view from the scenery spots in the city. Roof structure will be a unique solution as it transforms into amenities of the amphitheatre, the roof will serve as a public space and can be used for various events.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Founder and Director of Snøhetta, suggested a shape of the building based on the lost canal line, "Before starting to work we had studied the history and architecture of the region. Our idea is that the theatre has to combine something from its location and ballet. The building shape is a hyperbolic paraboloid which is unique and minimalistic. In addition, all buildings, including the stadium, make up now a single architectural ensemble." The idea of a triangular space translates the diagonal line of movement around the island and the live form of a ballet pas. 

A museum complex of the Tretyakov Gallery and the branch of the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts are also being built near the Second Overpass on Oktyabrsky Island. The construction of the educational section of the cluster (branches of the Central School of Music and Moscow State Academy of Choreography with boarding schools and a comprehensive school) has been completed. The total building footprint will exceed 80,000 square meters. These facilities will be sited within the park area, which will become a place for recreation for citizens and tourists, including open air spaces, recreation facilities, amphitheatres and terraces. All buildings, including Kaliningrad Stadium, will make up a single architectural ensemble.

The Kaliningrad cultural, educational and museum complex is being created according to the resolution by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The entire project is commissioned by the National and Cultural Heritage Foundation for Social and Cultural Projects, a non-profit organization founded by the world famous Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery. The project is implemented by Stroytransgaz, one of the largest Russian construction companies.

For reference:

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen was born on 14 July 1958 on Karmøy, a coastal island in Norway. After several years in Germany and England, he studied architecture in Graz (Austria).  He practiced in the offices of Espen Taraldsen (Arbeidsgruppen Hus) in Bergen (1982-1983), Ralph Erskine in Stockholm (1983-1984) and David Sandved in Haugesund (1985). 

Thorsen chaired a number of award-winning public building design contests around the world. He led the Snøhetta teams designing the museum built for the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, the temporary pavilion Serpentine Gallery 2007 in London, co-designed with Olafur Eliasson, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina library in Alexandria, Egypt, and the new Opera House in Oslo, Norway. In 1986, he was the founder of Norway's largest architecture gallery Galleri Rom.

Thorsen is a member of the Norwegian Architectural Association (NAL) and participated in its design contest committee. He was a jury member at various design contests in Europe. Since 2004, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen has been a professor at the Institute for Experimental Research in Architecture at the University of Innsbruck.

Awards and honors:

• 2008 Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olaf;

• Global Sustainable Architecture Award 2010;

• 2011 Honorary Doctor (dr.hc) of Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU);

• 2013 Prince Eugene Medal for Architecture.