海角视频

TRW Theatre (Teatr Rozmaito艣ci)

Warsaw, Poland

Bringing deep expertise in cultural venues and advanced building services, 海角视频 played a pivotal role in delivering TR Warszawa Theatre (TRW) and the neighbouring Museum of Modern Art (MSN) – two bold and expressive structures located in the heart of Warsaw, near the Palace of Culture.

TRW spans 20,000m虏 and is formed as a single monolithic block clad in black metal plates, creating a dramatic contrast to the white facade of MSN. According to the architects鈥� vision, all installations within and surrounding the theatre were to be painted black, reinforcing the building鈥檚 theatrical identity.

Drawing on our extensive experience in engineering sophisticated cultural buildings within tight urban contexts, we helped realise a development that will serve as a new landmark and cultural nucleus for the city.

The TRW building is elevated by 30cm to protect vital spaces from floodwater – an early-stage intervention guided by our environmental analysis.

Acoustic design in specialist spaces, including the recording studio, meets exceptionally low noise thresholds, with installations achieving NR15.

Energy-efficient ventilation systems use CO鈧� monitoring to adjust fresh air supply, allowing up to 90% air recirculation during performances.

The 22-meter-high Big Box auditorium features a revolving stage and seats over 550 people, offering adaptable performance configurations.

Challenge

The TRW鈥檚 external facade is clad in bespoke steel sheets, presenting challenges related to the thermal behaviour of the components and assembly limitations. Another imperative was to create storage spaces protected from floodwaters. The acoustic conditions required in the entertainment areas, performance rooms and recording studios were highly specialised and demanding.

Space constraints in the back-of-house areas and in the show kitchen adjacent to the dining space added design complexity. Fire safety systems had to be carefully coordinated, with pressurised lift shafts and staircases, and an integrated smoke exhaust strategy for the Big Box auditorium. The need to deliver rapid heating and cooling during performances further complicated the building services strategy.

Solution

Our team created an environment with strict acoustic conditions in the entertainment areas. We are developing a building services strategy that will enhance the audience experience.

To mitigate the potential impact of flooding, we proposed raising both the museum and theatre buildings by 30cm above the roads and pavements within the development site. Since this was done at an early design stage, the architects were able to implement this crucial change without requiring additional access features. Our team prepared a specialist report calculating the expected rainfall volume to establish the best possible solution.

To achieve the theatre鈥檚 striking facade, we specified connections that would determine the behaviour of the cladding, ensuring optimal performance while fulfilling the architectural intent. Within the theatre, sound transmission between specialist spaces, including performance and recording rooms, will be minimised through the incorporation of noise separation. Rooms are built using 鈥渂ox-in-box鈥� technology to prevent the transfer of outside noises. This also required special consideration for ventilation. The installation needed to maintain proper noise levels, so ducts serving these rooms are equipped with attenuators. Additionally, spring hangers were used in these installations.

Cooling and heating are provided by fan coil units in a quieter studio version in the small and large rehearsal rooms. An interesting space is the recording studio located on level 01. Due to the very strict acoustic conditions (the installation is required to maintain NR15), special wooden diffusers were designed and manufactured specifically for these types of studios.

A key issue was to provide rapid cooling and heating during performances. This is achieved using glycol unit heaters located just below the slab. To ensure the conditioned air reaches the occupied zone, bespoke heaters with extended external pressure have been manufactured. Additionally, glycol Favier radiators are installed in niches on the floor at the perimeter of the room to maintain the ideal temperature. The space is served by two air handling units that provide fresh and cool air. To save electrical energy, the amount of supplied fresh air can be adjusted based on the CO鈧� level measured in the exhaust air. These air handling units are designed to operate with 90% recirculated air.

In TRW, the Big Box auditorium – nearly half the above-ground volume – houses the mainstage and audience seating. The 22-meter-high space accommodates more than 550 people and features a revolving stage at its centre that can be adapted for different performances. There is also a smaller room with a stage called the Black Box, designed to host over 150 people. Like other spaces, everything inside is painted black. Heating is provided by trench heaters located by the windows, with fresh air and cooling supplied via ducts. Depending on the CO鈧� level, the amount of fresh air in this space can be minimised to 30%.

The restaurant and show kitchen required a particularly careful approach to duct design due to limited space. Most BOH areas are located on level -1, while the kitchen and dining sit on the ground floor.

In the building, lift shafts and staircases are pressurised in case of fire. This is achieved using fans with relief dampers located at the top. The Big Box room features a smoke exhaust system with eight fans located on the roof. These fans are housed in technical spaces to protect them from external weather conditions and provide acoustic protection.

Value

海角视频 has helped to develop two structures that are architecturally distinctive and functionally aligned to the art forms they support. The design enables enhanced audience comfort, low-noise environments for performers, and energy-efficient systems throughout.

Early interventions such as the flood mitigation strategy allowed critical improvements to be made at minimal impact to accessibility and layout. TRW and MSN together form a new cultural centre for Warsaw – serving the city鈥檚 artistic ambitions and shaping its built landscape.