Operalab Pavilion

Art has accompanied mankind since the birth of civilisation and permeates almost every area of life. Redefined continually, it is undergoing continuous evolution, and its boundaries are impossible to define. The idea of establishing OPERALAB – mobile think tank – in the urban environment  is the evidence of the transformation taking place in the structure of the Grand Theatre – National Opera, representing the openness and modernity of this elite cultural institution. The symbol of the initiative is the Pavilion, which is the summer residence of OPERALAB: a place where, as in opera, all the arts exist together. The main idea of the project is the separation of part of the urban fabric, provoking creative use.

Raised over the site, a characteristic design with a seemingly complex structure creates an open spatial structure. It is supported only by five concentrically located slim discs. Their considerable length and orientation increase the impact of not clearly defined interior borders. The relationship of the pavilion in the city, is always determined according to the needs of a specific event. The space between the pillars of the buffer distance is specifically required to achieve an adequate level of privacy in the interior and subtle limitation for visitors. The pavilion is a place available for all those who consciously choose to penetrate to its center.

Solemn and sublime mood, which prevails in the interior of the pavilion, attracts lovers of art, bringing to mind the exquisite moments in opera and theater halls. A tall, impressive space with “rotating” wooden rings, is nothing but a reminiscence of classical theater audience: high, monumental, surrounded by successive layers of balconies. In such a place, detached from everyday life, we are captivated by art.

It is here that architecture is no longer just a backdrop for artistic events, but actively participates in building the mood! In the hands of artist, curator, tutor, pavilion becomes a multimedia tool running on all the senses. Light, sound, image, space are transformed, adapting to specific ideas. Such conditions provoke the experiment. It is a perfect ground for art and innovative field of think-tank research. Both inside and outside, clear, modular structures communicate the nature of the principle of mobility. Additionally, strongly articulated connection strengthens this effect. Module – a single disc with a fixed height and variable length 3m – as the design, technical and formal, is a reflection of contemporary trends in architecture for multifunctional components.