Theatre of the collective

Ex Chimica Aranella

Palermo, Sicily

This is a new kind of public space formed through a relationship of a housing scheme and a theatre.

Strips of public space are on a gentle slope that acts as a piazza and theatre seating, which enables to transform its surrounding space into multiple uses, accordingly to the needs of the community at different times of the day.  The housing combines live/work space, while the theatre supports the touristic flow, expanding new business opportunities. 

Private balconies, like chest of drawers left open to reveal the private, transform into opera boxes – a public platform for the tourists and inhabitants at night.   This housing canvas acts as a backdrop for the theatre, and the theatre as a backdrop for the housing – together they (universal and accessible medium) create - a place for interaction, communication and a link between different people.

KPF | Architecture Foundation Public Space Scholarship 2004 Adobe Design Achievement Award | Illustration