Scarabaeus – SKA

Cultural centre in an old cinema and theatre

Text

Competition collage, façades toward Chaussée de Haecht. The former entrance of the cinema on the right becomes the small venue, with direct relation to the city around. The entrance happens now trough the house and bar on the left.

The facade on the back street, rue Creuse. Decors and access to the main venue.

Scarabaeus – SKA

Cultural centre in an old cinema and theatre

Year: 2019

Status: Ongoing

Program: Cultural equipment

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Budget: 7000000 exc. VAT

Surface: 2500 m²

Client: Renovas

Stability: JZH & Partners

HVAC: JZH & Partners

Energy: JZH & Partners

Landscape: Lokus

Acoustics: Kahle Acoustics

Theatre techniques: Artsceno

Photographer: Corentin Haubruge

Located in a dense and vivid neighborhood of the city, the project reorganizes and connects three existing buildings, each one facing two parallel streets with different qualities. A former cinema and individual housing towards the important Chaussée de Haecht, a former theatre towards the backstreet, much more residential and intimate than on the other facade.
The new project takes advantage of the existing qualities and limits of construction and potential and transforms the whole site into a new and inspiring place open on the city, its inhabitants and direct context. We keep as much existing buildings as possible, while offering new relations and general attitude of the site towards the city.