A modern form distinct from the existing buildings or is it built on an existing dwelling? – These two concepts conflict in the discussion: what is the dwelling house that will be part of the extended Teatr im. Stephen Siromsky. Theater authorities and the więtokrzyskie Voivodeship Monument have different opinions on this matter.
About a dozen or so days ago, Michal Kotynsky, General Manager of the Kielce Drama Theater stated that with the support of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Piotr Glinsky, the theater purchased an adjoining house at 32A Sienkiewicza Street. Thus, it gained additional space.
New space, new possibilities
Important to the residents of Kielce and to the theater audience, as it will increase the possibilities of the show. What we have now, and what we had after the originally planned renovation, is still a small stage, without much depth. After the purchase, the depth of the stage will increase, the area of u200bu200bthe warehouse will increase, which is very important, we will have the possibility to enter large landscaped trucks from the side of Sienkiewicza Street. The current gate is very small and we have to rent private cars to transport the decorations, which are not always suitable for these small cars. So it will be of great help in the work of theater editors – he says.
The project envisioned the reconstruction of the tenement house at 32A Sienkiewicza Street, adjacent to the current building of Stefan Sirumski in Kielce.Photo Studio WXCA
The new space was modified by the Warsaw studio WXCA, the same who had previously prepared a project for the renovation and expansion of the main building of the building. Szczepan Wroński, who represents him, explains that when starting work, they were looking for solutions that would improve the performance of the scene.
This space does not require lighting. There will be a place for the theater, devices that are not visible to the viewer, but are necessary for the functioning of the theater. We wanted to propose a contemporary form of the building, which would be appropriate to the needs and functions of the building, while preserving and respecting the historical character of this place – he explains.
Demolition is not allowed
The problem, however, is that the project involves the demolition of the existing dwelling house, which Anna Schack, Prefect of Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship of Antiquities, disagrees with.
The concept was submitted to the regional governor. The opinion that came from the Office of Antiquities Protection is negative towards this concept. In this opinion, we have indicated the forms of protection we have at this place, that is, the buildings on Sienkiewicza Street are entered in the antiquities register, so we cannot assume that the building will be demolished – he says.
The project envisioned the reconstruction of the tenement house at 32A Sienkiewicza Street, adjacent to the current building of Stefan Sirumski in Kielce.Photo Studio WXCA
It wasn’t the guardian’s only note.
– Second, we had reservations about the shape of the new facade, as well as on the dimensions – Anna Shack emphasizes and clarifies: – If we had the urban planning of Kielce entered into the register, we showed exactly what we protect: we protect the street layout, the dimensions of the building, its shape and appearance. He assures that new investments are being made in what we protect.
Anna Shack says an extension will be possible, but the facade of the existing building will be preserved.
Expansion of the stage, if possible from the point of view of both construction and planning, should respect leaving the front elevation in the form in which it is today, i.e., I am speaking of the two floors that exist today. Thus, the expansion of the theater will in fact consist of the superstructure of this building, located, at least in the part that should remain in the opinion of the governor, at least in terms of the front facade – he points out.
The solution generates costs
Szczepan Wroński admits he is aware that the street has been entered in the archaeological register, but not the dwelling house itself, which does not surprise him. – This may seem critical to this building, but it does not represent any exceptional architectural values, so the fact that it has not been entered in the antiquities register is quite obvious. We assumed that this dwelling house, including the facade, would be demolished, and something unique would be created. It emphasizes this modernity along with the classic, traditional form of the building that houses the theater.
The designer explains that leaving the facade of the building is an impractical solution, also from a financial point of view, because it involves additional costs. – There would be something imitating historical buildings but not so. Something artificial would have a cost but not a particular value. She argues in me because it’s unjustified – she asserts.
The project envisioned the reconstruction of the tenement house at 32A Sienkiewicza Street, adjacent to the current building of Stefan Sirumski in Kielce.Photo Studio WXCA
Designing public utility buildings in a challenging context, Szczepan Wroński explains that studio WXCA has completed many historic buildings, trying to find unique and historical solutions and leaving them behind.
– The design of the main building of the theater is proof of this, we tried with all care and determination to preserve as many elements as possible, which cost us a lot of time. Our aim was to leave as much historical tissue as possible, while in the case of this extension, in our opinion, leaving the facade is to create a certain “facade”. This also results from the doctrine of conservation that if we add something, we do not pretend to be a particular historical fabric, but separate history from the present – he asserts.
The main building will retain its historical appearance
Director Michał Kotański is also a proponent of introducing a more modern format to Sienkiewicza Street. – I admit that I want this extra part to be modern and simple. I don’t like this street, at least the part where we are, to become a museum. Hence, knowing what is happening in architecture, and observing examples of great projects of cultural institutions, such as the Philharmonic in Szczecin, we would like to try a more modern tone, the smaller this part is than the rest of the theater, which remains unchanged – emphasizes.
Talks are underway about the final concept of the purchased condo home.
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