KVS, Brussels

The Flemish Royal Theatre — installed in the mid-19th century into the former 18th century built arsenal —, has been entirely renovated and transformed, as well as augmented with a new building across the street, both of them being dedicated to theatre, music and dance. Listed building.

Information Sheet

New Build   Renovation/Transformation KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg)   www.kvs.be

Location Brussels, Belgium. Listed building.

Project Cost 50 million €.

Time Frame Design: 1997-2001. Construction and renovation: 2002. Opening of new building with black box theatre: 2004. Opening of restored building with new theatre: April 2006.

Owner City of Brussels.

Architect(s) Michel Verliefden, A2RC Architects, Brussels   www.a2rc.be    •  BOA, Brussels.

Theatre Planner(s) Concept: B-Group • Theatre Projects Consultants (TPC), London   theatreprojects.com   Design and construction supervision: AR-TE, France   www.arpluste-architectes.com  •  dUCKS Scéno, France   www.ducks.fr

Seat Count A 500-seat new theatre in the restored historic landmark building. Total area 11 000 m². A 250-seat black-box theatre in the new building across the street. Total area 6 410 m².

Uses Theatre, dance, concerts.

Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services.

Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager for Artec Consultants Inc, from 1997 until 2000. Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics, starting 2001.

1/7KVSRestored historic landmark building. Photo © Georges De Kinder
2/7KVSExtension building containing the black box. Photo © Georges De Kinder
3/7KVS500-seat Bol room. Photo © Georges De Kinder
4/7KVSBalconies of the 500-seat Bol room, as seen from stage. Photo © Georges De Kinder
5/7KVS500-seat Bol auditorium during opening night. Photo © Georges De Kinder
6/7KVS250-seat black box room. Photo © Georges De Kinder
7/7KVSOuter shell of the 500-seat Bol auditorium as seen from the foyer. Photo © Georges De Kinder