Ruhrfestival-Theatre

The Ruhr Festivals have been taking place in Recklinghausen since 1947 and are a permanent fixture in the German theatrical scene. The Festival Theatre from 1965 was redesigned and expanded into a modern theatre and congress building by the architects Auer, Weber and Partner in 1999. The renovation was awarded the German Architecture Prize of Ruhrgas AG in 2001. In the foyer, a bust honours the fellow-founder and first theatre manager Otto Burrmeister.

The Festival Theatre now makes modern function rooms available for events of all kinds - from panel discussions to guest theatre performances.

A foyer of steel and glass, placed by the architects in front of the building's existing concrete block, gives access to the various levels and rooms. The spacious lobby offers many varied places for informal meetings.

Accent lighting: Eclipse spotlights and floodlights on 3-circuit tracks place lively accents in the box office area - an attractive contrast to the rather more technical and sober style of the architecture.

Discussion event in the main hall: Parabelle pendant downlights produce sufficient horizontal illuminance, without dazzling. Their technical design harmonizes with the pragmatic character of the event.

At the cloakroom counter: Both staff and visitors alike profit from the high visual comfort of the ERCO Downlights.

The silvery, planked conference room, 'Zeppelin', uses what used to be a ventilation space of the building. Inside the building, downlights for low-voltage halogen lamps provide brilliant, glare-free light.

Address:
Otto-Burmeister-Allee 1
45657 Recklinghausen

Client:
Stadt Recklinghausen

Building design:
Auer + Weber + Partner, Stuttgart

Contract awarded:
1994

Completion:
1998

Gross floor area:
24,950 m2

Gross volume:
131,825 m3

Main useful area:
11,410 m2

Internet:
Menu item: 'Venues, Ruhrfestival-Theatre' at
www.ruhrtriennale.de/en/