Erick van Egeraat rejuvenates the splendour of the original art deco design and extends the building with a new flight tower.
“With respect for the authentic style and atmosphere, I would like the new parts to exceed the original,” says Erick van Egeraat, “in a way that blends the flight tower into the original structure almost invisibly.”
To achieve this, Dutch artist Babs Haenen and Erick van Egeraat developed dedicated porcelain tiles for the façade of the theatre. “We reinterpret the once common co-operation between architect and artist during the art deco period. Our ornamented tiles are part of the composition that continues the style of the façade and smoothly connects the existing building with the new flight tower.”
In an upwards transition of materials, from brick stone and ceramics to glass, the building seemingly dissolves into air.
Theatre Haarlem is a national monument and was built during World War I. It is one of the five oldest theatres in the Netherlands. After one century, the building has become too small for contemporary needs, while several reconstructions have diminished the original character of the theatre.
The building has a gross floor area of 7.400 m2. Completion is due for spring 2008.
design 2001-2005, realisation 2005-2008
