Paul Robbrecht, co-founder of Belgian office Robbrecht en Daem architecten, designed an architectural space for children – a puppet show theatre – commissioned by Antwerp-based design label valerie_objects.
Puppet theatre
Mixing contemporary architecure and fairytale castles, Belgian architect Paul Robbrechet used the proportions of Louis Khan in the design of a puppet theatre for children.
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- 10 March 2017
- Antwerp
Robbrecht’s everlasting fascination for the puppet show resulted in a wooden puppet theatre that combines the looks of contemporary architecture and fairytale castles. Similar to the Market Hall in Ghent, there are two medieval-like rooftops pointing out of the facade which clearly mark a cross-over between traditional and contemporary architecture. Furthermore, Robbrecht detained himself to the rigorous measurement system that he uses for every design at the Robbrecht en Daem office.
It is based on the numbers 3, 5, and 7 and refers to the proportions of architect Louis Kahn. “This theatre is similar to a box of wooden blocks”, he explains. “In the nineteenth century doctor Froebel was the first to be convinced of the positive effects of abstract toys on children. His theory was for the first time applied in the United States by Anna Lloyd Jones, the mother of architect Frank Lloyd Wright”. Miss Jones first test-subject was the young Frank – Paul Robbrecht’s, his grandchildren.
Puppet Theatre
Design: Paul Robbrecht
Production: valerie_objects
Year: 2017