National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Popular Ensemble
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another, the sense of what it is to be a human being.” – Oscar Wilde
The “National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folkloric Ensemble” (NTOBFE) is positioned in the heart of Tirana, in the historical square, “Skanderbeg”.
In this new phase, the theatre has become a dynamic ensemble with a wide range of cultural events. The visual connection with the square and the city, becomes stronger due to the presence of open spaces. Spaces, which belong to the public when the shows are on. The spontaneous communication across different areas in this huge building, is the best experience a visitor could have. The interior mixture of lights, colors and forms, make this journey livelier.
The renovation project of NTOBFE tries to aspire the education of a social life and our consciousness about collective cultural memory. Even though NTOBFE represents an important historical building, in the beginning of the design, it was in poor and non-aesthetically conditions. Through this renovation design, we aimed to bring into focus a modern vision of theatrical experience in Albania. We tried to find a balance between the old and new, through architectural elements that transmit their transition in time, their timeline.
This design reaches the best of international acoustic standards and technologies, designed by our partners Kahle Acoustic & TTAS. The whole interior has changed, except for the construction. The only intervention made; it is in the stage tower. It is a metallic structure above the stage, which bears the techno-logic machines of the theater. Also, another intervention in the existing structure, are the balconies of the auditorium, which were designed to expand the capacity of the theater.
We tried to bring out good energy and vibrance by using bold and vivid colors. Maintaining the classic spirit that this kind of building carries itself each room is identified by a unique color. Some of the materials used are: German beechwood for the acoustic panels in the auditorium, purple velvet curtains for the stage, plywood and heraklith panels for the rehearsal rooms blue velvet for the walls of VIP area and many more. Every space of the theater is different, but it has the same style.