Zuidplein Theatre | De Zwarte Hond

Zuidplein Theatre is the new cultural hotspot of Rotterdam Zuid. A new theatre building replaces the adjacent existing 1953 structure, housing two auditoriums, a café/restaurant and a branch of the Rotterdam Library. Designed by De Zwarte Hond, Zuidplein Theatre is developed and realised as a Design/Build/Maintain project by Heijmans and Ballast Nedam.

Zuidplein Theatre forms part of Hart van Zuid, a region-wide public-private partnership development focused around the Zuidplein and the Ahoy events complex. In cooperation with city of Rotterdam, Ballast Nedam and Heijmans are constructing projects here such as the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre, Zwemcentrum Rotterdam (swimming pool), an extension of the Zuidplein shopping centre, a new bus station, hotel, housing and hospitality venues. The outdoor (public) spaces will also be completely redesigned. Following on from Zwemcentrum Rotterdam, Zuidplein Theatre is the second project completed in Hart van Zuid.

Community role

Zuidplein Theatre replaces the adjacent former theatre which was built in 1953. When the new theatre is operational, the old building will be demolished in a circular way. This central location in the centre of Hart van Zuid, beside the bus and metro stations, easily attracts passersby to take a peek inside, making art and culture accessible to a wider audience.

The library welcomes everyone from the community, offering a wide range of activities from languages to digital skills. Locals can meet here, learn, study, share experiences and hold discussions. Young people are especially welcome. The theatre’s diverse programming often reflects what’s happening in the community, city and region. Together with the café/restaurant, which is open every day, the complex plays an important role in the social fabric of Rotterdam-Zuid.

Aluminum voile

Zuidplein Theatre has a clear, compact volume of approximately 12.500 m2. Due to noise considerations, the two auditoriums are positioned on the metro side, furthest away from the residential areas. Here, the building appears enclosed and intimate with a sturdy masonry facade accented by distinctive vertical niches. By contrast, a semi-transparent anodised aluminium veil drapes delicately over the entrance. The entrance area hosts the main public functions such as the library reading tables and the café/restaurant. By day, the semi-open facade creates a beautiful play of light inside, and by night, the facade illuminates from within to highlight the inviting entrance.

The high lobby forms the heart of the building. Every function is directly or indirectly connected with this space, where there is always something for people to do and discover. As a ‘living room’ for Rotterdam-Zuid, the lobby has an extra stage that hosts popular activities such as children’s performances and other community-focused initiatives, bands and DJs and exhibitions.

Designed by De Zwarte Hond in collaboration with BURO M2R, the interior fits seamlessly with the architecture. The transparency and curved form of the aluminium voile are reflected in various interior elements. The flexible and mobile bespoke furniture designed by BURO M2R enables spaces to be configured in different ways. Steel furniture and panelling lend the interior a bold look, while, at the same time, red upholstery and floors add the distinctive warmth of a theatre.

Innovative theatre hall

The 600-seat main auditorium has two distinctive features. The Rotterdam-based architecture practice Studio RAP designed an acoustic wall that seemingly embraces the audience and performing artists in one fluid gesture. The design is crafted from 6000 different triangular aluminium composite panels – an unexpected choice of material for a theatre. Algorithms calculated the positioning of the triangular panels to create excellent acoustics in the theatre without the need for soundproofing materials.

What’s also unique is how the auditorium adapts to standing concerts. Conventionally, a sliding tribune – which often has less comfortable seating – would be removed to make space for a standing event. At Zuidplein Theatre, the stage – whose surface area exceeds the hall – can easily be converted into a multipurpose space that fits a maximum of 1.000 standing or dancing visitors. This means more comfortable fixed seating can be installed in the auditorium. The ground floor and balcony can be separated from the space using a moveable wall.