Nieto Sobejano win competition for the Cité du Théâtre in Paris
Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos 

Nieto Sobejano win competition for the Cité du Théâtre in Paris

Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos 


The Madrid architects Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano, in collaboration with the Parisian firm Marin + Trottin Architectes, have finished first in the competition for the Cité du Théâtre in Paris, organized by the French Culture Ministry and three prestigious theater institutions – the Comédie-Française, the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique, and the Théâtre National de l’Odéon. The other two finalists were Fabre Speller (France) and Foster+Partners (Great Britain). To house the new complex, the Ateliers Berthier – built in 1895 by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera – will be restored, respecting their structure and materiality. The winning scheme is conceived as a large elevated garden that establishes a visual continuity with Martin Luther King Park.

Presenting a green facade over 200 meters long, a new building unifies and embraces the ensemble, following the broken geometry of the 19th-century Thiers wall (19th century), the existing remains of which are to be preserved and restored. The 24,000-square-meter ‘City of the Theater’ will provide six modular performance halls for the Comédie-Française (seating 250 and 600), the Théâtre National de I'Odéon (250 and 500), and the Conservatoire National (100 and 200). Garnier Hall, a listed historical monument, will become a generous covered public space giving access to the areas shared by the three resident institutions: workshops, classrooms, didactic spaces, book and media library, and restaurants.

© 2020 Nieto Sobejano Architecte mandataire & Marin Trottin Architecte associé

© 2020 Nieto Sobejano Architecte mandataire & Marin Trottin Architecte associé

© 2020 Nieto Sobejano Architecte mandataire & Marin Trottin Architecte associé

© 2020 Nieto Sobejano Architecte mandataire & Marin Trottin Architecte associé

© 2020 Nieto Sobejano Architecte mandataire & Marin Trottin Architecte associé. Foto / Photo: Diego Hernández

© 2020 Nieto Sobejano Architecte mandataire & Marin Trottin Architecte associé. Foto / Photo: Diego Hernández