DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROJECT
The Agora Theatre stands out because of its unusual architectural design. The building is designed as a faceted sculpture with a skin that creates a kaleidoscopic effect through the changing perforations. Inside, the building is organized around a vertical foyer located under a large skylight. The different levels are connected by wide staircases, visible from any point in the foyer. The clear layout makes orientation easy, allowing visitors to find their destination effortlessly.
The building contains a large hall with a fixed seating arrangement and a small hall with a flat floor and sliding stands. There are also multifunctional rooms available for use as meeting and conference centers, which can be divided up with partition walls.
Installations, flexibility & sustainability
To respond to the multifunctional use, the installations are also divided into as many zones as there are layout possibilities. These zones can be reconnected when partitions are removed. The special architecture places heavy demands on the outlets of installations in the facade and on the roofs. Thus, no chimneys, ventilation pipes or (cooling) equipment emerged on the building, and no grilles or openings were installed in the facades. All facilities were installed under the perforated skin, with the surfaces and degree of perforation precisely matched to the architectural design.
Our assignment
The faceted facade also gave a whole new dimension to the design of rainwater drains. Because the facets are at "double angles," the route of rainwater is erratic. The kinks of the gutters installed in the facets are also at different angles, so the sizing of these gutters had suddenly become an issue in itself. Valstar Simonis took care of the dimensioning and worked out the practical solutions of the gutters together with the building contractor.
Also worth mentioning is the lighting installation in the building. By using colored (LED) lighting, it is possible to accentuate the various hallways each with their own color. Visitors can find their own hall entrance by following the hallways with the correct color. The intensity is adjustable so that beginning and end of performances can be indicated with this lighting. In addition, the foyers are equipped with special lighting in close collaboration with the architect.
The faceted facade also gave a whole new dimension to the design of rainwater drains. Because the facets are at "double angles," the route of rainwater is erratic. The kinks of the gutters installed in the facets are also at different angles, so the sizing of these gutters had suddenly become an issue in itself. Valstar Simonis took care of the dimensioning and worked out the practical solutions of the gutters together with the building contractor.
Also worth mentioning is the lighting installation in the building. By using colored (LED) lighting, it is possible to accentuate the various hallways each with their own color. Visitors can find their own hall entrance by following the hallways with the correct color. The intensity is adjustable so that beginning and end of performances can be indicated with this lighting. In addition, the foyers are equipped with special lighting in close collaboration with the architect.
With over 70 years of experience and some 150 projects per year, we have had the privilege of working for many clients, one-time or recurring, for example, through framework agreements. Among others, we work for:
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