ZORA: New Luxor Theatre

Architect: Bolles and Wilson
2001 - Rotterdam

Situated in a contemporary area of Rotterdam, belong to the old Wilhelminapier port area, now is facing the Maas River and Rijn Harbour. A multiple orientation place, one of the principal requirements of the project, and who help the team Bolles and Wilson to win.
A competition was held for its expansion in 1995, attracting entries from six architectural studios: Sipek, Hertzberg, Hoogstad, Christiaanse, and OMA.

The prupose building is oriented both to the north and to the south. The foyer stretches out for the both sides, a atrium offer a view over the tranquil port on the Rhine and the most characteristic parts of Rotterdam, and the administrative offices, wardrobe and shops are located in the rear of the facade.

The foyer is connected to the stage by a stairway,who ments to create any sort of promenade, and cross the all builging, leading to the rooftop terrace, from which the visitor has a view of the theatre dock, theatre restaurant and river taxis.
The auditorium ceiling is covered with white acoustic panels by designer Joep van Lieshout which recall a typical alpine landscape; the 1527 seats in the stalls and in the balconies are designed by Wilson and stand out for their red and black colour; they are raised over the rest of the structure to offer an excellent view of the stage.

Localizado numa zona nova de Roterdão, pertencente ao antigo porto de Wilhelminapier, junto do rio Maas e o porto de Rijn, surge o novo teatro da cidade.
A multiplicidade de orientações que o próprio lugar proporciona, e que o edifício compreende, pesou na decisão do concurso, que contava com outros 5 concorrentes: Sipek, Hertzberg, Hoogstad, Christiaanse, e OMA.
Desse modo o foyer estende-se pelos dois lados do edifício (norte e sul), estando o átrio orientado para o porto, e para as mais características zonas de Roterdão, enquanto que os escritórios administrativos, o guarda roupa e as lojas estão localizadas na outra fachada.
Uma marcante escada, faz a ligação entre o foyer e o palco, numa espécie de promenade que atravessa o edifício e termina no terraço.