Scarabaeus – SKA
Cultural centre in an old cinema and theatre
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.