Variants for the drama department of Chemnitz Theatre presented

Das Schrägluftbild zeigt eine Projektskizze des Vorschlags der zukünftigen Bühne im Spinnbau. Der Bildausschnitt zeigt den Park mit der Bühne. Der Park ist grün eingezeichnet mit dunkelgrünen Bäumen. Die Bühne steht in einer Ecke des Parks. An der Rückseite der Bühne befindet sich kein Gebäude. Neben der Bühne steht ein großes orangenes Gebäude. Auf den anderen beiden Seiten des Parks ist ein langes graues Gebäude eingezeichnet.

Auf dem Bild ist eine Projektskizze für die Sparte Schauspiel der Theater Chemnitz in Form eines Lageplans abgebildet. Es ist der gesamte Grundriss des Spinnbaus zu sehen. Park in der Mitte ist grün skizziert. Um den Park sind verschiedene Gebäude abgebildet. An jedem Gebäude ist der Verwendungszweck geschrieben. Die Gebäude sind grau skizziert mit schwarzer Beschriftung. Gebäude, welche mit "Neubau" beschriftet sind, sind orange skizziert.

Today, Mayor of Construction Michael Stötzer, Mayor of Culture Dagmar Ruscheinsky and Thomas Kütter, Head of Building Management and Structural Engineering of the City of Chemnitz, together with Dr Christoph Dittrich, General Director of Städtische Theater Chemnitz gGmbH, presented the options for a future theatre stage and puppet theatre at Städtische Theater Chemnitz gGmbH. After the summer break, the City of Chemnitz will submit a proposal to the City Council for a decision in principle on the permanent location of the drama and puppet theatre divisions as well as the workshops. Such a decision in principle is necessary in order to analyse and prepare financing and possible funding options.

Together with Städtisches Theater Chemnitz gGmbH, the City of Chemnitz has examined various alternative locations as a consequence of the planning results for the refurbishment of the Schauspielhaus on Zieschestraße, where the use of the drama, puppet theatre and studio stage divisions can be permanently and possibly also re-located. Various parameters such as accessibility, centralisation of uses and technical theatre functionalities were compared. The strategy paper also makes it clear that Chemnitz Theatre's performance, rehearsal and workshop facilities are currently spread across eight different locations from the city centre to Harthau.

Examination of various alternative locations

Five possible locations were examined for their suitability in a study of alternatives: Luxor, Stadthalle Chemnitz, the existing location in the Park of the Victims of Fascism, Kulturquartier Schillerplatz and the Spinnbau.

The assessment revealed that the Spinnbau offers the best conditions as a location. The scenario there envisages the use of existing buildings for rehearsal rooms, fundus, catering and administration as well as the replacement construction of a new theatre with a stage area and stage tower. There will also be a new central workshop building and an "open air" area with 300 seats. A transparent "treetop bridge" could serve as a weather-independent connection between the areas.

The resulting theatre area extends over several plots of land. From the point of view of the City of Chemnitz's building management (GMH), the Spinnbau site offers the best structural and functional conditions for long-term use as a theatre location. This option is also favoured by Städtisches Theater Chemnitz gGmbH.

The accessibility for both motorised traffic and public transport is very good. The location opens up opportunities for centralising urban theatre functions and fits in well with existing urban development concepts.

Overall, the Spinnbau offers optimised site logistics with short distances and efficient processes thanks to its compact location and synergies with existing facilities. In addition, a positive effect on the neighbourhood can be assumed. Among other things, attractive working conditions for employees will be offered and sustainable goals will be pursued through reduced traffic, energy-efficient new buildings and lower operating costs. At the same time, space is created for future developments.

Condition of the theatre on Zieschestraße

The planning results illustrate the considerable need for refurbishment of the old theatre building. There are serious deficits in fire protection, particularly in the area of escape routes and technical installations. The structural substance is inadequate in many areas, and numerous technical installations - including building and theatre technology - are outdated or already inoperable. This has led to restrictions in theatre operations and for the audience. Although the existing building would basically provide access, there are problems due to the shared use of pipes with a neighbouring care home and massive damage to the underground pipes. In addition, there is a lack of proper and contemporary barrier-free access to the building for the main visitor areas.

Extensive measures would be necessary to upgrade the theatre in the OdF park. These range from energy-efficient roof refurbishment and the replacement of windows, doors and external seals to the complete renewal of the technical infrastructure. Demolition work down to the shell construction, replacement new buildings and interventions in load-bearing components would be unavoidable. In addition, all building services systems would have to be replaced, barrier-free access created and acoustic and functional requirements met. In addition, the decentralised distribution of the playrooms, rehearsal rooms and workshops across the city would remain in place.

Back in 2016, the city council passed resolution B-263/2016 in favour of the construction of a new theatre and thus against the renovation of the Schauspielhaus am Park der OdF.

History: The theatre building in the Park of the Victims of Fascism was completely rebuilt after a fire in 1976 and reopened in 1980. Minor renovations took place between 2002 and 2003, but without a fundamental refurbishment. Since March 2022, the building can no longer be used for safety reasons.

An ideas competition for the future reuse of the existing theatre at the Park of the Victims of Fascism is recommended for the examination of reuse options.