Header: Leonas Garbacauskas
Klaipėda State Music Theatre revives the spirit of theatre as a building and the atmosphere of the city it resides in. The design engages in a dialogue between the heritage and contemporary architecture reflected in the reconciliation between a new structure and a historic building.
Sea waves made of clay
Rejecting the conventional design principles applied to theatre interiors, the designers from MAMA Architects decided to blur the line between public and artistic space. The old theatre building has undergone a refurbishment that made it flow into the new venue seamlessly, guiding visitors between two volumes. The new main hall is a unique masterpiece hand-crafted from clay. Hand-crafted clay walls were made to mimic the texture and the rhythm of sea waves.
The unique pattern took nine months to make and subtly references the coastal identity of Klaipeda, the only major seaport in Lithuania. Apart from the strong symbolic meaning, the sea wave symbol also offers an organic, earthy presence not commonly seen in performance spaces. Carpet-like textures paired with warm, earthy hues encompass every public part of the new volume, extending from floor to wall to create an intimate atmosphere, shying away from the traditional formality of theatre venues.
Lighting by MAMA Architects
This texture is further emphasised with the selection of lighting. Spotlights in the main hall graze the clay walls using reflected light to bring this wave-inspired texture to the forefront. Cove lighting in the atrium highlights the curved elements of the architecture. The theatrical stage-like lighting is achieved through downlights with varied optics, placed in corridors and common areas.
Despite their grandiosity and theatricality, the lights maintain the feeling of intimacy and cosiness. A historic chandelier in the atrium is restored to connect the present with the venue’s rich heritage, thus becoming a symbol of continuity within the refurbished building.
Sustainable fixtures and restored heritage luminaires
Klaipėda State Music Theatre’s lighting design was conceived with sustainability in mind. Lighting fixtures were acquired from local manufacturers, thus reducing the carbon footprint while at the same time supporting the regional economy. The luminaires are interchangeable and reusable. Different optics can be applied to the same fixture, thus prolonging the lifecycle of the objects and subsequently reducing waste.
Heritage luminaires already in the building are restored and reused, providing them with a new role in a renowned structure according to the principles of the circular economy. The entire lighting concept relies on high-efficiency fixtures, controlled by advanced management tools. These tools adjust the light use and intensity according to the variable needs throughout the day, thus reducing energy consumption without affecting the theatre’s atmosphere or functionality.
The lighting design for Klaipeda State Music Theatre highlights the handcrafted clay interior while making a seamless transition between the old and the new volumes. By skilfully combining new efficient luminaires with old heritage fixtures, the design provides a modern functional atmosphere while taking a nod at the building’s rich heritage and the heritage of Lithuania’s only seaport. MAMA Architects’ Klaipeda State Music Theatre won the LIT Lighting Design Award in the Cultural Building Lighting Design category.
Project info
Lighting Design/Product Company: Energy Green
Lead Designer: Sarunas Noskaitis
Other Designer’s names: Marius Mateika
Architecture Company: MAMA Architects
Interior Design Company: MAMA Architects
Client: Klaipeda State Music Theatre
Photo Credits: Leonas Garbacauskas
Other Credits: Karolis Klimas, Indre Ankudaviciene, Audrone Pakalniskyte, Mantas Petravicius, Spiridon Spanos
Completion Date: May 2024
Project Location: Klaipeda, Lithuania
