COTTON THEATRE

West Pomeranian University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Szczecin

Project idea

SINCE THE RECENT CHANGES IN BURKINA FASO'S MANAGEMENT POLICY, CULTURE HAS BEEN TREATED AS AN INDICATOR FOR DEVELOPMENT. PEOPLE WANT TO USE CULTURAL GOODS, OFTEN, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH LACK OF APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE IN WHICH ACTORS CAN CREATE AND PERFORM.

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE CREATION OF THE PROJECT WERE DEEPLY ROOTED IN CULTURE AND INDUSTRY OF THE REGION COTTON PLANTS. THE BUILDING REMINDS OF A COTTON FLOWER, WITH THE ROOF MADE OUT OF MEMBRANE WITH A ROUNDED SHAPE INSERTED IN A METAL FRAME IN GOLD COLOR, WHICH IS ALSO INSPIRED BY THE BURKIN FASO CULTURE, AS ITS A BIG PART OF COUNTRY’S ECONOMY, HANG ON TRIANGULAR ARCHES WHICH REMIND OF COTTON FLOWERS SHELL.

Project description

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE RENOVATION OF THEATHE POPLAIRE, OR COTTON THEATER IN OUAGADOUGOU IS TO CREATE A SIMPLE, BUT FUNCTIONAL AREA IN WHICH ARTISTS WILL HAVE PERFECT CONDITIONS TO ORGANIZE, CREATE AND PRACTISE THE SHOW AND THE VISITORS WILL HAVE ALL THE NEEDED CONVINIENCE TO WATCH IT. THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE EXPANSION OF AN AMPHITHEATRAL SEATS WITH A LARGER, COMPERING TO THE EXISTING, SCENE, AND BUILDING WITH EDUCATIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND TECHNICAL ROOMS.

BUILT IN 1986, THE THEATER CAPABLE OF HOUSING ABOUT 2,500 PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED WITH AN ENTRY ZONE WITH A SPACE IN WHICH THE VIEWER COULD SPEND A BREAK TALK ABOUT THE SHOW OR DRINK A BEVERAGE. EVERYTHING WILL BE COVERED BY A LIGHT ROOF MADE OUT OF MEMBRANE WITH INFLATED CHAMBERS FILLED WITH AIR AND A LIGHTWEIGHT STEEL STRUCTURE. THE ENTIRE ROOF CONSTRUCTION IS BASED ON THE THICK CONSTRUCTION WALL BEHIND SCENE AND SUSPENDED ON THREE TRIANGULAR CONCRETE ARCES WITH STEEL ROPES.

Technical information

THE BUILDING SURROUNDS AN EXISTING AUDITORIUM AND CREATES A COMPLETE, CLOSED, SYMMETRICAL FACILITY. CONTAINING EDUCATION ROOMS (MUSIC, THEATER, CIRCUS, DANCE). THE BUILDING ALSO HAS TECHNICAL FACILITIES MAKING IT COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT - ALL SCENOGRAPHY ELEMENTS AND COSTUMES CAN BE MADE ON-SITE IN THE WORKSHOPS. THE FACILITY ALSO HAS SOCIAL FACILITIES FOR ACTORS AND EMPLOYEES, ADMINISTRATIVE ROOMS AND FINALLY INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR VISITORS.

THE MATERIALS USED IN THE PROJECT ARE TO BE MODEST AND FIT INTO THE LANDSCAPE. SO WE HAVE SET UP FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED BRICK, CERAMIC TILES IN NATURAL COLORS AND WOODEN ELEMENTS. COMMUNICATION IN THE FACILITY IS PARTLY EXTERNAL AND PARTLY ROOFED. THE FACILITY IS INTENDED TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WILLING TO DEVELOP HIS ARTISTIC ABILITIES AND WISHING TO LEARN AND DEVELOP.