“It is an honour for us to be part of the renovation of the National Theatre’s New Stage. We will do our utmost to ensure that the renovation is carried out sensitively, in a high-quality way and with respect for the values of the building and the needs of modern operation. We will use our experience from the realisation of similarly demanding construction projects. We greatly appreciate the fact that the project combines the preservation of architectural heritage with the use of state-of-the-art technologies that will create a truly multifunctional space fit for the 21st century,” said Metrostav CZ CEO Karel Volf.
Architectural Riches of the New Stage
The renovation project will not change the appearance of the building’s exterior. It will also preserve all the original architecturally valuable interior spaces (the green serpentine tiles, spiral staircase and grand light installation by Pavel Hlava and Jaroslav Štursa), which will be sensitively renovated. The same goes for the “television” façade made of 4,000 glass “screens” by glass artist Stanislav Libenský.
Reasons for Renovation
The original design for the building did not envisage theatre operations and the architectural solution was a compromise which, despite all the undeniable positives, is not only technologically insufficient for the requirements of today’s operations, but also fails to meet the architects’ original vision. The planned renovation will thus fulfil the dream of architect Karel Prager and set designer Josef Svoboda and, thanks to the latest technologies, create a truly multifunctional space.
What Will the Renovation Bring?
After the renovation, the New Stage will offer visitors a variable arrangement of both the stage and auditorium in a multifunctional hall with a capacity of up to 500 seats, utilising modern theatre technologies and variable acoustics; in the adjacent building, the National Theatre will gain another chamber theatre hall, a rehearsal room and new spaces with facilities for accompanying educational programmes. A new café will also be created on the ground floor to connect the theatre to náměstí Václava Havla. Both buildings will undergo significant technological upgrades that will result in significant energy savings and a reduction in operating costs and environmental impact.
Media Contact
Tomáš Staněk
National Theatre Spokesman
+420 605 207 249
t.stanek@narodni-divadlo.cz
Radim Mana
Metrostav Group Spokesman
+420 601 110 376
radim.mana@metrostav.cz
