When the Mayor of Jundiaí hired Bo Bardi to design the renovation project for Politheama Theater, in 1985, the building was practically abandoned. However, for many years it had been one of the most emblematic spaces in the region, with activities that went beyond performances and included political meetings, popular gatherings, concerts, and circus or cabaret shows. The main aim of the renovation project was to rescue the place and restore its character as multipurpose space.

Though the project that was finally built simply neutralized the facade and remodelled the interior, Lina Bo Bardi had proposed a larger intervention that included the adjacent plot to create a plant-filled lobby. This space would give direct access to the upper galleries of the auditorium via pipe-shaped corridors. These elements, punctured by round windows similar to those of submarines, would stand out against the historic building, radicalizing the contrast between the existing and the added elements. Furthermore, in the rear wall of the stage, a large glazed opening would let natural light into the auditorium, visually connecting the stage with the outdoor garden.