The New Riga Theatre - Zaiga Gailes Birojs

1. Analysis of the situation and location and the functional, compositional, constructional and other problems of the premises of the existing building and the new volume
The construction site contains several buildings: the building of eclecticism style, monument of architecture, from 1901 by architect Edmund von Trompovsky; complex of former factory buildings, which consists of two historically valuable buildings: a copper mint from 1883 by architect Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis which now houses a restaurant with a terrace and a foundry from 1889 by Karl Johann Felsko which now houses theater decorations warehouse and workshops. These buildings have been rebuilt several times and changed their functions. But these reconstructions have not diminished their value because the architectural image and character have been preserved. The block has two courtyards. One of the courtyards can be accessed through a tunnel from Lāčplēša street, the other – from Ģertrūdes street. The courtyards are surrounded by firewalls of the nearby buildings but still they are well lighted and quiet if compared to Lāčplēša street which has turned from the historical peaceful street into noisy arterial road. The facade building was modified in 1931 due to construction of the stage and balcony. The complex cannot ensure wholesome work with three halls and premises for the actors and stuff. The premises are not efficiently used, they are outdated and do not meet the hygienic demands. The main entrance without a proper entrance area is not comfortable, it is unpleasant and even dangerous. Besides the historical hall with 400 seats, the entrance in future will have to serve the audience of two additional halls with 300 seats. The houses in the courtyard are not connected with the main building.

2. Description of the concept of the proposal
The main entrance to the theater is from the courtyard. The historical entrance in the facade building has been substituted with entry through the lighted tunnel. The historical entrance door will serve as information plate of the repertoire. The new entrance is from the courtyard arranged between the two parts of the theater – the historical theater building and the former factory. The audience arrives at the main entrance lobby where they are guided to the right or left. On two brick facades in the hall there are inscribed directions to the audience halls. In the depth of the lobby there is a long universal counter which serves as a ticket office, information centre and cafe bar. The cafe tables are located behind the columns. This is the life of JRT (The New Riga Theater) which has moved from the dusty street to the nice courtyard, also it is the sign of the period. People in large cities seek to escape from the urban noises and rush into green and quiet courtyards, JRT provides this. The street facade is secluded and keeps a secret, which is revealed only when you enter the courtyard. People gather under the trees, chat during the intermissions, enjoy some wine on the terraces after the performances.

Composition of two courtyards. The main new volume – the tower block – is located in the distant courtyard nearby two firewalls where the existing buildings allow to build a high construction with a basement. Thus there are two different courtyards – public and service. They are connected with a new tunnel through the foundry building and with an underground passage under the public courtyard. Stage decorations are delivered from Ģertrūdes street side. The service courtyard is connected with all stage workshops, stuff rooms and stage decoration storeroom with elevator to the performance and rehearsal halls and workshops. The service elevator unites all floors. Decorations to the historical building are taken through the underground passage or through the tunnel to the second elevator. Stuff entrance if from the courtyard. The actors move between the both blocks along the suspended bridge which associatively resembles the historical slide above the courtyard. Next to the new halls on the second level in the foundry building there are located dressing rooms. Complex of the new halls and complex of the historical hall are both provided with audience area with stairs, elevator, cloakrooms and toilets on the ground level. The other new volume with administrative function is located against the firewall above the lobby.

3. Characterization of the main functional, compositional and constructional ideas.
The new added volumes – the tower, entrance block, attic, suspended bridge, elevator shafts – are designed with methods of industrial architecture, brick, rough metal constructions with glass planes. Facade above the new entrance is a brick plane with JRT logo. The bearing metal structures of the tower and the attic are brought outside on the facade adding to the volume the scale and rhythm of the divisions. The two upper floors are surrounded by metal balconies with evacuation stairs. The external walls are covered with steel plates, the glass elevator shafts in steel frames are brought forward and left open, as is the curved bridge above the courtyard, which is suspended by metal bars. The brick facades of the factory and the theater must be cleaned and repaired. The courtyard and the lobby floor is made of small chiseled granite cobblestones. The new halls can be transformed according to demands of the theater directors. The chairs can be moved together in a 1,1 m wide set. The dividing partition walls are made of light wooden constructions with many entrance door planes which are used by the actors or the public. The basement floor under the old house is suitable for technical premises and storerooms. The project envisages natural basement lighting on Lāčplēša street side. The basement with a wide passage is united with the volume of the former factory and the new entrance block under which there are located kitchen premises for the cafe. Delivery for the kitchen is planned through the service courtyard.

4. Technical solutions of reconstruction and restoration of the existing theater building.
The historical theater of the famous theater director Eduards Smiļģis is a value of the national theater history and must be preserved in its composition, image and feelings. Patina of the walls, sheets of mahogany veneer, concrete tiles, parquet, stairs, doors, street facade windows, details, furniture such as tables from the actors dressing rooms must be preserved with their natural wear. The historical lobby is transformed by removing the present cloakroom thus making a square public space with access to the windows. There is a refreshment bar at the distant end of the lobby with tables by the windows. The lobby is accessed from the courtyard through the former cabinet of the theater director. From the time of Eduards Smiļģis there is preserved the actors’ entrance from the tunnel with administrator’s counter in art deco style.

The second level is transformed into the actors’ CREATIVE FLOOR. The actors will still have their commune with additional dressing rooms, showers, WC, sauna, recreation zone, reading-room, library, hairdresser’s, costume storeroom and laundry. The historical office of Eduards Smiļģis is also preserved. In the hall there is also preserved the historical image and character with the balcony, curved sheets of mahogany veneer and lighting objects. It is the only art deco hall interior in Riga. The hall is transformed by shifting the balcony back and making it steeper, the parterre is also made steeper. There are 442 seats in the hall with sound, video and lighting control panel in the back. The stage is equipped with elevator for decorations in the size of a container, the attic space above the stage is also raised. At this point a dilemma appears between the functional demands and protection of the monument – the attic makes the facade 30 m high.