© UNStudio. Pubblicata il 28 Ottobre 2011.

The 21,000 m2 Dance Palace forms part of the European Embankment city quarter masterplan for a new urban square in the historic centre of St. Petersburg.

© Paolo Bianchi. Pubblicata il 28 Ottobre 2011.

The building presents an open and inviting theatre with provision for 1300 guests (large auditorium 1000, small auditorium 300). Integration with the existing neighboring buildings is achieved by both the scale of the building – which in elevation follows St. Petersburg’s typical 28m roofline – and the transformative transparency which is introduced by a facade system of triangular cladding panels.

© Paolo Bianchi. Pubblicata il 28 Ottobre 2011.

The variation between opaque and perforated panels creates a controlled openness, depending on program, views and orientation. In the main auditorium the horseshoe form was chosen for its acoustic advantages and the proximity it affords to the stage.

© Paolo Bianchi. Pubblicata il 28 Ottobre 2011.