OOPEN
Utrecht, The Netherlands
The proposal for the new mixed-use tower right next to Utrecht Central Station includes a multi-use performance space, the Drum, in its base.
This circular performance and exposition space is tall, with up to three rings of balconies for audience and technical purposes, such as lighting and projection. It has a capacity for up to 350 seated, and close to 500 for a mix of seated and standing.
The design of the performance modes includes audience configurations for theater, music, but also dance and circus. In exposition mode, the space is an open pallet, with plenty of possibilities for placement of (traditional) exposition surfaces. The height of the space, and the additional vantage points from balconies, lends it particularly well for large art installations, in-the-round panoramas, and performance-art works.
The design proposals included multiple studies for the balconies: only frontal, or tightly packed courtyard-theater style rings. More playful versions included movable sections, and spirals and Escher-inspired counterpoint.
The top layer of the Drum was proposed as a theatrical grid to provide easy handling of suspension systems for artworks, sound, light, projection, etc. Three grid types were studied: a traditional steel grid with slots, a grid with opera hatches as are common in The Netherlands, and a tension-wire system.
The basement of Oopen will house a nightclub with several niches for performance and lounging, all developed as a designed-found space in the hollows of the foundations.
The Space Factory was part of the design team for the competition phase. The project is in design and awaiting green light for the mixed-use concept.
Client — City of Utrecht
Architects – Heatherwick (London) and Nudus (Rotterdam)
Scenographer — The Space Factory
Status – in design, the Drum is on hold
