Computer modeling was used to design the angular wall surfaces of the newest theater in Rotterdam, to ensure a perfectly even distribution of sound.
The Zuidplein Theater is a major new cultural venue for the Dutch city, featuring two halls, a restaurant and a library.
While the building was designed by architecture firm De Zwarte Hond, the experimental office Studio RAP was commissioned to form the interior of the main theater.
Working with engineering firm Arup, Studio RAP’s ambition was to create a wall surface design that would improve the acoustics of the 600-seat auditorium.
Using digital technologies, they developed a highly multi-faceted surface that was calculated to bounce sound evenly across different parts of the interior.
“The project was designed using algorithms, resulting in an undulating perimeter of thousands of triangles,” said Wessel van Beerendonk of Studio RAP.
The design process involved simulating a variety of different types of performance – across stage and music – and measuring the effect of different bends on sound reflection.
Then the surfaces of the walls were “digitally kneaded” using parametric modeling software, to find the best geometric shapes in all respects.
The next step was to turn this organic form into something that’s easy to manufacture. This involved dividing the entire interior into approximately 6000 triangles. Some triangles are flat and others are folded.
“The result is an even distribution of sound across the entire hall, so that everyone in the audience can enjoy the show or concert they’ve come to see,” Studio RAP said.
Made of aluminum composite, these triangles have a dark red color that gives the hall a distinct identity.
This is emphasized by the differences in light and shade across the canvases, due to which their direction is different. The effect is further amplified by the seat upholstery, which is also in various shades of red.
Other features of the hall include a versatile design, designed to adapt to a diverse program of performances.
For events where guests are standing or dancing, it is possible to convert part of the stage area into additional space for spectators. The ground floor and the balcony can also be separated thanks to a movable wall.
The Zuidplein Theater forms part of Hart van Zuid, a newly developed area in the south of Rotterdam.
Both the main theater and the smaller hall are located in the side of the building facing the bus and metro stations, to act as noise insulation for the nearby apartment buildings.
The building has a stone structure with a facade that curves outward to form a curvilinear recess.
Here, a semi-transparent wall of anodized aluminum shows a patterned surface that encourages visitors to enter.
“During the day, the semi-open facade creates a beautiful play of light inside, and at night, the facade is illuminated from within to highlight the attractive entrance,” said De Zwarte Hond.
The lobby of the building, with the interior design by BURO M2R, has been imagined as a ‘Rotterdam-Zuid living room’.
It features flexible and mobile furniture elements, and can be configured in various ways to host various community activities.
“The tall lobby forms the heart of the building,” said De Zwarte Hond. “Every job is directly or indirectly related to this space, where there is always something for people to do and discover.”
The Zuidplein Theater Hall has been longlisted for the 2021 Dezeen Awards in the Urban and Cultural Interior category.
The winner in this category was MuseumLab, a Thunderbolt library that was converted into a Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh.
Project credits
Client / Tenant: Rotterdam Municipality
Developer / Owner: The Heart of the South (Ballast Nadam, Heijmans)
Architect: black dog
Interior design lobby: Puro M2R
theater wall design: RAP Studio
theater wall contractor: medicine
Theater Wall Acoustics Consultant: Arop
Acoustics and building physics consultant: dGmR
Theater Consultant: Theater advice Amsterdam
Structural Engineer: Sunfield
Building contractor: heart of the south
Services (Design and Implementation): heart of the south
Operations Management: Rotterdam Municipality
Users: Zuidplein Theater and Library of Rotterdam