Small stage of the Stanislavsky Electrotheatre

Design time: 2014-2016
Address: Tverskaya street 23, Moscow, Russia
Studio directors: Dmitry Likin and Oleg Shapiro
Lead architect: Darya Melnik
Chief project engineer: Irina Ishunina
Total area: 459.65 square meters
Building area: 323.58 square meters

Objective:

To transform an old maintenance building in the courtyard of the the Electrotheatre into a space for a second stage.

Solution:

To design a fully functional intimate space to suit any format of the modern theatre, based on the main principles of the Electrotheatre complex - flexibility and openness.

The small stage is a one-storey building with a mezzanine, a single space with a separate entrance and a multifunctional lobby, cloakroom, actor's dressing rooms, necessary technical and service rooms and a hall-transformer for 70-120 seats.

The small stage bears a similar design to the main stage: the seats aren't fixed, there is no "box" for the stage and the hall becomes a completely universal space thanks to a metal wireframe surrounding the auditorium and reaching a height of 6 meters. If the frame on the main stage is built on the outside and carries both a technical and a decorative function, echoing the metal columns of the lobby and adding an industrial flare to the appearance, the frame on the small stage is hidden inside the walls with only the attachment points visible. These are bespoke technological attachment points mounted into the metal structure along the perimeter of the walls which can carry a load up to 200 kg and offer many variations in placing sound, lighting equipment and decorations.

The idea of a transformable space is also conveyed through a mobile partition separating the hall from the lobby on the second floor thereby allowing to increase the number of seats and also to give more variation for scenography and productions.

The main concept for the small stage is the idea of a monastery like space, an ascetic but universal space where performances of any type can happen.
The number of materials used is minimal and their combination is seen in the entire building: gray concrete, dark metal and honey oak color wood. The concept is visualized with different elements. Thus, from an idea of a monastery like space which carries a fully technical function as well, an intricate structural ceiling unravels with big wooden beams.

The wooden staircase becomes the central element of the lobby.

The entire spectator area is separated from the street by a giant stained-glass window. Additional street light falls through the stained-glass window into the lobby, while one can admire the theatre's courtyard from the second floor. Meanwhile one can see the lobby, a beautiful wooden staircase, interior lighting and the audience from the courtyard, which is a captivating scene especially in the evening.