The great ambition of the Spree River Theatre is to be invisible: a venue that mimetizes with the river and makes its presence as subtle as possible. The Performance Deck is marked by a 25cm-deep water mirror all over it, its surface mixing with the river and aiming a unison landscape vis-a-vis the Spree banks.

Essentially, the Theatre will be a celebration of the river, encouraging plays that explore water choreographies. A myriad of spontaneous events also can unfold on this flooded deck throughout the year. It can work as: an ice skating rink or a curling competitions venue during winter; a beach, with chaises longues and umbrellas during summer; a misty field for strolling amid a vaporous atmosphere during fall; or a platform to simply enjoy the river views in a spring morning.

The Performance Deck is over the Technical Deck, which is accessible via two separated vertical circulations: one for staff/performers, and the other for the public. The rehearsal room can also be used as an underground audience with privileged contre-plongée views of the stage upstairs.

The theatre/dance companies will explore the water mirror as they wish – eventually using the performance deck in a dry mode, if necessary. This mode is possible as the vessel is equipped with a ballast tank to compensate different loads (see sections below). The ferry will aso have a built-in water treatment plant and a water thermal control device.

Spree river theatre, theatre construction isometric. Carlos M. Teixeira

author

Carlos M Teixeira

colaborators
Daila Araújo, Leonardo Rodrigues e Frederico Almeida