The Dostoevsky Drama Theatre in Veliky Novgorod was built in 1987 by architect Vladimir Somov. The exterior design of the theater was in many ways inspired by the architectural traditions of medieval Novgorod with its monumental temple buildings. The now underestimated Drama Theater, which strikingly stands out against the background of traditional urban scenery because of its “cosmic” appearance, has great potential to become the cultural center of Veliky Novgorod.
In 2020, the Government of the Novgorod Region with the support of DOM.RF and
KB Strelka organized a competition for the concept of reconstruction of the Drama Theater. The competition, which consisted of three stages, was curated by Roger Watts, director of the Haworth Tompkins architectural studio (London). During the first stage, 16 emerging architectural bureaus from all over Russia were chosen. FORM bureau was one of the three contestants to reach the final.
“Total theater is a theater with free stage space!” – this manifesto of Vladimir Somov formed the basis of our concept. By choosing the principle of “total scenography” as the basis for our project, we subordinated architecture to the needs of the theater, giving it the character of stage decoration. We worked out a modular system based on a 1.5×1.5 meters cell which makes up the design grid of the theater itself. After connecting it with braces, we arrived at an elementary structural unit, on the basis of which the exterior and interior elements were developed.
The aesthetics of the theater’s architecture can be compared with the traditional stone architecture of Veliky Novgorod with its monumental sculpturesque volumes. The architecture of the new objects of the theater ensemble, built on modularity, follows the traditions of fair architecture of medieval Novgorod with its wooden collapsible show-booths. Lightweight functional structures, which serve as theatrical scenery, reflect the essence of the theater as such in the best way possible.
We also erased the inner and outer boundaries of the theater, uniting all levels with vertical connections, creating unlimited possibilities for the utilization of and experiments with spaces. . Thus, an atmosphere of “total scenography” is created, reigning inside and outside the theater building, allowing the theater to become “a free or a total stage space,” as Vladimir Somov wrote in his manifesto.
Total theater is the theater of the future!
Architecture: Vera Odyn, Anna Berg, Pavel Makarchenkov, Margarita Plotnikova, Polina Dudkina, Maria Zinukova, Nikita Morenov, Anastasia Kholopova, Maksim Mikhailov, Anna Novikova, Eugenia Beruchashvili
Client: Strelka KB
Status: Concept
Location: Velikiy Novgorod
Year: 2020
The drama theater of V. A.Somov was built on the principle of modularity, which formed the basis of our concept
The bus stop pavilion, consisting of two interconnected blocks, will become a kind of portal to the space of the theater square ensemble
The volume of the amphitheater, similar to a medieval booth, can become both a stage space and a platform for spectators
An object glowing from within, similar to a lighthouse, is installed on the square on the site of the demolished Stele and repeats in its color scheme the unrealized stained-glass windows of V. A. Somov
The idea of the lighthouse finds its continuation in the location of the object: it is deployed in two planes towards the embankment along the Volkhov River
Towers and fountain bowls become interactive platforms for discovering the performing arts, where the theater is experienced through the senses
