Paradieshof Theatre
Frankfurt, Germany

Gareth Hoskins Architects were one of 17 practices who qualified for the final round of this international design competition for the Paradieshof Theatre in Frankfurt, which attracted 120 entries.

On a 500sqm site the theatre comprises a net area of approx. 1300sqm. Half of this area is allocated to the theatre seating 300+ including adjacent backstage areas, infrastructure and administration. The other half is distributed between gastronomy, rehearsal space and 300sqm residential apartments. Stage and auditorium are required to be triple height spaces. Due to height restrictions on the site lowering the theatre into the ground was inevitable and part of the brief. However only lowering the theatre space completely below ground as proposed by Gareth Hoskins Architects allows an optimum solution for the interaction of the various functions required by the brief and releases floor area at street level for public activities to address and revive the public square that the theatre is meant to enhance.