The design of the Al Qasba auditorium refers to the nature of Sharjah as inspiration, suggesting an inverted, fully enclosing scenographic landscape in an array of undulating surfaces with light strips on fold lines. The architects sought to create an environment which allows visitors entering the space to disconnect from everyday life to immerse into the surprising and striking space of the staged narrative in the theatre.
The choice of materials seeks to reflect both past and present. The interior skin is created out of textile — a traditional building material in the region, applied in a high tech configuration — which wraps the walls and ceiling of the auditorium space in a continuous smooth surface, stretched over an aluminium substructure. Telescopic rods push out the expandable fabric to form the hills and valleys of the enclosure. The angle of the aluminium bends were defined using a computerized bending machine. The fire rated fabric is fixed with Keeder clips into a framework of aluminium profiles.
In addition to the auditorium, Magma designed and refitted the theatre lobby and adjoining rooms. A completely white space with soft light in changing colors invites visitors to meet and linger and enhances anticipation of the theatre visit.
Client: Al Qasba Development Authority
Architectural design: Magma Architecture
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: Sarraj SMEP Engineering Consultants
Acoustics: Akustik Ingenieurbüro Moll
Magma Architecture Team: Martin Ostermann, Lena Kleinheinz, Hendrik Bohle, Philipp Mecke, Anke Noske, Carlos Lara
Fabric and Aluminium Construction: Ellermann GmbH, Rietberg, Germany
Main Contractor Foyer, AC, Electrical: Elements Fitout Décor, Sharjah, UAE
Total area of conversion: 820 square metres
Auditorium number of seats: 300
Fabric: My Tx Stretch Color
