The internationally renowned Japanese architecture firm SANAA designed the Schouwburg Almere. Three blocks appear to float on water, each housing a theatre auditorium seating 1,050, 350 and 150 respectively.
The large auditorium has an adjustable stage front ranging from 12 to 18 metres in width, and its moveable ceiling allows the acoustic volume of the auditorium to be increased or decreased.
A "tension grid" was fitted into the small auditorium to make it as safe and flexible as possible. A tension grid is a walkable floor area made of steel cables fixed to the ceiling by suspended columns. Cross pipes are mounted between the suspended columns for fixing spotlights and loudspeakers.
