Theater aan de Parade is the cultural heart of ’s-Hertogenbosch. The challenge: to transform the introverted theater from 1976, on the same footprint, into a renewed and larger venue that accommodates all forms of performing arts, invites interaction, and enriches the city with bold architecture. Contemporary, inclusive, flexible, and future-oriented—on an extremely compact plot where every cubic meter is dedicated to performing arts and programming potential.
By retaining the main hall and basement, we anchored the design. Around this, we built the theater as a “transformer”: with sliding loading platforms, hyper-flexible halls, and foyers that can be combined in various ways. By giving each space its own identity and letting go of the traditional separation between front of house and back of house, every part of the building becomes “theater”.
We worked within the extremely strict zoning and historical urban image plans. This led to a façade with tessellations: layered and rhythmic. With a surface area of 10,500 m², the theater offers a large hall (920 seats) and a flexible middle hall (400 seats – 900 standing), suitable for diverse performances. Designed as a transformer, the building is exceptionally multifunctional and adapts to varied use scenarios.
To design a hyper-flexible building, deep technical understanding was essential. This resulted in early, intensive collaboration with co-makers, users, and theater technicians. It allowed for the development and integration of new products, such as the sliding loading dock. The cooperation with local residents was also exceptional, leading to results like fully integrated systems and facades turned into vertical gardens.
Direct collaboration with co-makers enabled craftsmanship to shine in the innovative development of new products: ethereal acoustic walls made of bamboo; double-curved glass fiber-reinforced gypsum panels for balconies and walls; glued brick strips as roofing finish; sliding façade walls and suspended masonry for the glass façade; 12 m² landing tables. The result is a reinterpretation of traditional materials with new techniques: “a perfect fit through technology.”
Theater aan de Parade is designed with a strong focus on sustainability. We achieved more usable area with fewer gross meters. The design emphasizes transformation over demolition by reusing the existing basement, casino hall, and parts of the structure. The building is nearly energy-neutral. Innovative solutions such as bio-based finishes like bamboo and living green walls in the foyers contribute to a healthy indoor climate and reduced energy use.
The extroverted theater fosters interaction, creativity, and diversity in performing arts and connects with the Parade as a cultural destination. It also hosts performances for elderly and people with dementia, children’s theater, workshops, exhibitions, and conferences. A place for all ages. The curtains, inspired by the surrealist influence of Hieronymus Bosch and the city’s rich historical textures, add a deeper narrative layer to the space.
In the new building, social space is synonymous with spatial synergy. “A theater with a relationship to the Sint-Jan, the Bishop’s House, monasteries, the city center, and the Parade.” The vibrant and elegant façade features a rich variety of masonry patterns and transparent foyers. Its color and material palette harmonizes with the historic context. The large program was broken down into sub-volumes to ensure the building integrates well into the monumental city center.
