De Woeker, Oudenaarde
The theatre in Oudenaarde is being expanded into a vibrant cultural site. The existing auditorium is being renovated to become a multifunctional space, and a new large theatre auditorium will be added. Through this expansion, the meeting and rehearsal rooms of the former fire station and the former municipal school will be combined into an attractive cultural venue. The protected townscape will add another jewel to its crown.
Information Sheet
New Build Renovation De Woeker.
Location Oudenaarde, Belgium.
Project Cost 7.8 million €.
Time Frame Design: 2022-2024. Construction: 2024-2026. Opening: 2027.
Owner City of Oudenaarde, Belgium.
Architect(s) Bob McMaster Architecten, Ghent, Belgium www.bobmcmaster.be • KRFT, Amsterdam, Netherlands krft.nl
Theatre Planner(s) TTAS/Ingenium, Bruges, Belgium.
Seat Count Grote Woeker (new): A 410-seat theatre hall or auditorium. Kleine Woeker (existing): 142 seats or 250 standing audience. New build floor area: 2 350 m², renovated floor area: 1 290 m². Total gross floor area: approx. 3 640 m² with 7 170 m² of surrounding external area.
Uses Drama with light amplified sound system, shows, conferences, classical music with up to a 40-musician orchestra (Chamber Orchestra, Harmony), pop and rock concerts, cultural centre activities, offices, café and music school activities.
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 Cees Mulder, Thomas Wulfrank, Kahle Acoustics.
Winning project's rendering for De Woeker cultural site. Photo © By courtesy of Bob McMaster + KFRT
Winning project's rendering for De Woeker cultural site. Photo © By courtesy of Bob McMaster + KFRT
De Woeker site offers a mix of existing historic buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, blended with new contemporary buildings. © By courtesy of Bob McMaster + KFRT
De Woeker site offers a mix of existing historic buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, blended with new contemporary buildings and green surroundings. © By courtesy of Bob McMaster + KFRT
Rendering of the future 410-seat theatre hall (Grote Woeker). Photo © By courtesy of Bob McMaster + KFRT
Rendering of acoustic simulations for the 410-seat theatre hall (Grote Woeker). © Kahle Acoustics
Culture Street route rendering connecting all functions of the future De Woeker culture site be it the theatre, the cafe or the music school. Photo © By courtesy of Bob McMaster + KFRT