Theater Lampegiet
This design for a new Lampegiet Theatre replaces the existing, outdated theatre on the same site in the Dutch city of Veenendaal. The main auditorium of the new theatre will include 700 seats, alongside a smaller auditorium of 200 seats, and another with 100 seats that is intended for use by Filmhuis Veenendaal among other organisations. With a porous ceramic façade that is draped over the structure like a fabric, the design transforms the Lampegiet Theatre into an urban lantern that opens up to the city, referencing the history and culture of Veenendaal.
- Location
- Veenendaal, Netherlands
- Status
- In progress
- Year
- 2025–
- Surface
- 6000 m²
- Budget
- 47800000
- Client
- Municipality of Veenendaal
- Programmes
- Theatre, Cultural, Bar-restaurant, Auditorium
- Themes
- Architecture, Leisure, Public, Culture
The current Lampegiet Theatre in the centre of Veenendaal was built in 1988. The building’s name refers to the Lampegietersavond, a traditional local festival celebrated each September in which children parade through the city with lanterns. The existing theatre is outdated and its design does not allow it to be easily adapted. Desiring a building that meets current standards for sustainability, and provides space for additional functions such as auditoriums for a pop music venue and a cinema, the municipality of Veenendaal set out to replace the existing theatre building.
In MVRDV’s design for the new Lampegiet Theatre, each auditorium and functional space occupies its own volume. The six volumes – comprising the three auditoriums as well as foyer space, a café, and back-of-house areas – are compactly combined into a single building. This stacking approach breaks down the mass of the building into smaller units, with the blocks of varying sizes complementing the surrounding buildings. From the main entrance on the corner of the theatre square, visitors enter a spacious central foyer spanning three floors, featuring a café with an outdoor terrace. A secondary foyer provides access to the multifunctional auditorium; on the first floor above this foyer sits the flexible cinema, overlooking the theatre square and Veenendaal’s Old Church.
The theatre’s striking façade is composed of a mixture of brick along with glass fronted by swooping ceramic screens, resembling fabric draped over the building – a reference to theatre curtains and the city’s history of industrial textile manufacture. In the evening, when the foyer is illuminated, the building’s perforated façades bathe the theatre square in atmospheric light. The theatre thus functions as an urban lantern, a nod to the tradition of the Lampegietersavond.
The new Lampegiet Theatre will become the cultural heart of the Duivenweide district, serving as the first step in a broader redevelopment of the area. In addition to the theatre, a green city park is planned with an event area, a new parking facility, and housing. The theatre will form a connection between this new park and one of Veenendaal’s main streets. With the large glass façades of its foyers, the theatre is designed to activate the square, creating a strong connection between the life of the city and the events taking place within. Large sliding doors can open the theatre to the outside, allowing the green, park-like theatre square and the theatre café with its terrace to merge seamlessly. This opens the possibility for events such as an outdoor cinema or open-air performances.
“With the Lampegiet Theatre, we bring Veenendaal's rich history to life, from its Lampegietersavond celebrations to its history in industrial textiles. The design reflects these stories by allowing the building to function as an urban lantern, shedding light on both the theatre square and the city itself,” says MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs. “At the same time, the transparent design invites connection, seamlessly blending inside and out. It was an honour to win both the jury and the public vote in the project competition, demonstrating the strong connection between the building and the community.”
The sustainability strategy was developed in collaboration with Buro Happold. The new Lampegiet Theatre will be equipped with sustainable installations, such as photovoltaic panels and a heat pump. The design focuses on nature, adding green planters and preserving trees designated as valuable by the municipality. Furthermore, the design enhances local biodiversity with integrated nesting boxes for birds and bats. The theatre is designed with flexible spaces that can adapt to future needs, ensuring the building’s longevity and sustainability.
Gallery
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Credits
- Architect
- Founding partner in charge
- Partner
- Visualisations
- Business Development
- Partners
- Structural engineer:
- Buro Happold
- MEP:
- Buro Happold