SKA, Brussels
Conversion of a former cinema-theatre in a densely populated neighbourhood of Brussels, involving the redevelopment of three existing buildings spread across two parallel streets back-to-back, or the transformation of a former cinema with an old theatre and individual dwellings into a cultural centre. Despite the constraints, the neighbourhood is coming back to life thanks to its cultural centre focused on social cohesion.
Information Sheet
Renovation SKA ska1030.be
Location Brussels, Belgium.
Project Cost 7 million €.
Time Frame Design: 2019-2022. Construction: 2023-2025. Opening: October 2025.
Owner RenovaS, for Schaerbeek Council.
Architect(s) Ouest Architecture, Brussels, Belgium ouest.be
Theatre Planner(s) ArtSceno, Switzerland artsceno.ch
Seat Count A 240-seat hall with retractable seating for both unamplified and amplified drama and musical performances, a small hall (40 seats or 70 Standing) with retractable seating dedicated to un-amplified events (mainly for young public screenings), a multi-functional space for projection and/or small events, gym hall, offices, ancillary spaces and a café. Total gross floor area: 2 500 m².
Uses Council cultural centre's activities ranging from visual arts exhibitions, music, dance or drama performances, workshops, gatherings to screenings for all generations.
Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services for the entire project from competition to commissioning, including room acoustics, building acoustics along with noise and vibrations control.
Team Vincent Berrier, Thomas Wulfrank, Kahle Acoustics.
The 240-seat hall with deployed seating dedicated to (un-)amplified events. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
The 240-seat hall here with its retracted seating dedicated to (un-)amplified events. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
The 240-seat hall free-seating dedicated to (un-)amplified events. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
The 240-seat hall free-seating dedicated to (un-)amplified events with acoustic modularity on the side wood surfaces and back of the parterre surface. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
The 240-seat hall, here detail of the side seating/ parterre perforated absorbing wood panels. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Multi-functional space between the main and small halls (small hall entrance on the right) with a two-sided open bar and some of its deployed variable acoustic curtains. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Integrated acoustic curtain circling the visible ventilation duct in the multi-functional space. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
View from the boulevard onto the former cinema entrance, now a small un-amplified venue. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
The small capacity hall for un-amplified events, here from the parterre on the standing or seated audience side facing one of Brussels's tramway boulevards. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
The small capacity hall for un-amplified events, here with its retractable seating during acoustic commissioning measurements. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Detail of the acoustic isolation, or double glass façade, between the small capacity hall and the boulevard. Photo © Kahle Acoustics