The Animation Theater in Poznań, thanks to architects from the Atelier Starzak Strebicki studio, boasts a new exhibition and workshop space. Two rooms feature a unique exhibition of theatrical puppets, which are placed on a wooden platform along the walls. Empty spaces in the central part of the halls allow for educational classes and workshops.
When the management of Poznan's Animation Theater approached the Atelier Starzak Strebick studio with the task of designing a new exhibition space, the architects began their work by consulting with theater employees. In this way, the designers learned the needs of the institution and its expectations, and so a concept was created for the theater's daily program activities.
The exhibition is housed in two complementary rooms
© Atelier Starzak Strebicki
The exhibition is housed in two complement ary halls with a total area of 91 square meters. The arrangement of the exhibits along the walls allowed for a free flow of visitors. In each of the halls, the architects placed one large functional piece of furniture, which can be both a platform for the audience and serve as an exhibition. All the furniture was made of durable and direct contact friendly birch plywood that blends in with the wooden parquet present on the floor. Equally spaced cut-outs in the tops of the furniture make it possible to display a rich collection of theatrical puppets while maintaining great freedom of arrangement - it is easy to change the presentation of the exhibits and set them in different configurations and create multiple narrative paths. In the corridor, under the ceiling, the architects placed mirrors to enhance the spatial effect.
Mirrors in the corridor add spatiality to the exhibition
Photo: Mateusz Bieniaszczyk © Atelier Starzak Strebicki
Dobrawa Bies: What was the main design inspiration?
Jola Starzak: The main design inspiration was meeting at the Animation Theater and touring their magnificent warehouses full of various theater puppets and set pieces, as well as attending one of the children's performances.
Dobrawa: Please tell us about the course of the project work, where did you start?
Jola Starzak: We started the project with a meeting with the management and staff of the theater. In this way, we wanted to better understand the needs of the institution and its expectations regarding the shape of the designed changes. This allowed us to create a concept specifically dedicated to the daily needs of the theater community.
Working along the walls allowed the architects to create an empty space in the central part of each room
Photo: Mateusz Bieniaszczyk © Atelier Starzak Strebicki
Dobrawa: The exhibits are mainly arranged along the walls, leaving the center of the rooms empty. Where did this decision come from?
Jola Starzak: We decided that the two rooms, with a total area of 91 square meters, had to complement each other and combine exhibition functions, as well as provide opportunities for workshops for children or group meetings. Working along the walls allowed us, despite the limited square meters, to create an empty space in the central part of each room, and this makes it possible to invite more people to the exhibition at the same time. Therefore, in each room we decided to place one large and functional piece of furniture/substitute directly adjacent to the walls. This provides not only spaciousness, but also gives comfort in use - the furniture can serve as auditorium platforms for the audience and at the same time have an exhibition function.
The furniture can serve as both auditorium platforms for the audience and an exhibition function
Photo: Mateusz Bieniaszczyk © Atelier Starzak Strebicki
Dobrawa: The materials you used are mainly light wood juxtaposed with white walls, what is the reason for such an idea?
Jola Starzak: The set design should be a background for the puppets presented at the exhibition, hence the use of calm and subdued colors and pine wood, which blends well with the wooden floor. The overall design provides a cohesive and non-intrusive backdrop for any exhibition.
Dobrawa: What were the needs and expectations of the investor? How did the cooperation proceed?
Jola Starzak: The cooperation went smoothly, and thanks to the investor's openness to non-obvious ideas and his trust in us, we were able to realize a very satisfying project for us, which also serves well and meets the expectations of the Animation Theater.
Dobrawa: Thank you for the interview!
