L'Archipel, Perpignan

L'Archipel is the largest regional theatre of the southernmost region in France, which is entirely dedicated to Mediterranean and Catalan Art. Its main theatre was designed to accommodate both larger and smaller audiences, requiring specifically designed variable acoustical blinds and reflective curtains.

Information Sheet

New Build L'Archipel, scène nationale   www.theatredelarchipel.org

Location Perpignan, France.

Project Cost 32 million €.

Time Frame Winning competition entry: 2005. Design: 2006-2008. Construction: 2009-2011. Opening: October 2011.

Owner Mairie de Perpignan/Agir Promotion (Public Private Partnership).

Architect(s) Jean Nouvel, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Paris   www.jeannouvel.com  •  Brigitte Métra, Métra + Associés, Paris   brigittemetra.com

Theatre Planner(s) Michel Cova, dUCKS Scéno, France   www.ducks.fr

Seat Count Main theatre with varying seat count from 600 to 1 200, 400-seat Black Box theatre, rehearsal rooms, workshop and administration. Total area 8 200 m².

Uses National theatre center dedicated to Mediterranean and Catalan theatre.

Services Comprehensive acoustics consulting, from basic design through construction supervision and opening services. Collaboration on the variable partition and acoustical blinds' design, used to reduce the main theatre's space when the seat count is reduced to 600.

Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager, Yann Jurkiewicz, Kahle Acoustics.

1/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelThe large hall of L'Archipel – called Le Grenat – has a variable seat-count ranging from 600 to 1 200 seats. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
2/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelThe 400-seat Black-box is equipped with retractable tiers and offers a large range of possible stage configurations. Photo © Philippe Ruault
3/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelLe Grenat theatre. Photo © Philippe Ruault
4/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelThis Venetian blind consisting of wavy wooden boards is a mobile acoustic partition allowing to vary the capacity of the room and its acoustics. Photo © Philippe Ruault
5/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelDetail of the Venetian blind. Photo © Philippe Ruault
6/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelThe textured walls of Le Grenat theatre act as acoustic diffusers and provide uniformly distributed lateral reflections. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
7/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelGeneral view of L'Archipel. From left to right: Le Grenat theatre, the stage tower, the rehearsal room, the changing rooms and administration offices' building, the scenery studio. The Black-box theatre is located behind. Photo © Atelier Jean Nouvel
8/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelThe concrete stage tower has been inspired by the architecture of the dungeons and castles in the Perpignan region. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
9/9Théâtre de l'ArchipelLe Grenat theatre. Photo © Kahle Acoustics