Theatre Square

Location

Theatre Square near the National Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the central areas in Dnipro.

Cognitive map

Site Research

If you ask people 'What's your attitude to the square?', they would hardly understand about which square you are asking. There are theatre, fountain, park, cafe in the form of a glass pyramid, parking, fences and tram stop on the site.

All of these are only parts of the collage that crumble and do not form a unified system. The area does not exist in the residents' minds, it is a transit space for them.

The fair that captivated all possible space of the Opera and Ballet Theater and changed the audience, completes this surrealistic collage. Now people come here not for art, but for consumption.

Bazaar

Socks are sold next to the posters of ballet shows, and theatre lobbies are occupied with fur coats and hats. Only the upper floor was left for the rehearsals. So, what is there on Maslow's pyramid? What is more important: 40 hryvnas for pants or art?

During a week-workshop 'Public space' within the framework of the 'Cities of Ukraine' festival we have developed the concept of the Opera House Square in Dnipro in cooperation with 'Urban Sustain Architecture' and 'VG Architects'.

It is impossible to reorganize the space without changing its perception in people's minds. If you start with a physical transformation, then no matter how beautiful the square is, people will continue to sell their products in there. We decided to rethink the theater area and offer scenarios for its development as a cultural center.

Main 3 targets were determined:

1. Representation of culture on the square

2. Formation of a holistic self-sufficient square

3. F ormation of user-case scenarious

We have done a transformation map for 20 months — sufficient time period for forming a powerful cultural center. Physical transformation is only the third stage. 

Transformation stages

The primary goal is to get the commerce out of the square and then from the theater itself, through cultural events.

Possible scenarios for the square use

Gradually, thanks to performances, installations, movie shows, the space will begin to be associated with art. In order for the theater to be economically beneficial, we will arrange cafes and creative studios on the ground floor.

Physical transformation

After the victory of Beaux Arts over the Bazaar, the physical transformation is ready to start — reconstruction of the square in accordance with new functions and needs. In front of the theater we will remove everything unnecessary — an open square will become a universal place for cultural events.

On both sides of the square, there are green areas where you can relax in the shade of trees.

The fountain 'Muse' is one of the oldest fountains in Dnipro, will be renovated. On the closed part of the fountaine will be an open-air small scene of the theater.

We will open the back side of the theater for pedestrians. It will unite the entire territory into a holistic space.

Master Plan

As a result, the square will become a powerful part of the Dnipro brand, a cultural marker that will pulse and revitalize the entire city.

What's next?

The city authorities approved the concept, so we hope, the implementation will start in 2019.