Zaha Hadid Architects: Rabat Grand Theatre

'rabat grand theatre' by zaha hadid architects in rabat, morocco
image by methanoia
all images courtesy zaha hadid architects

 zaha hadid architects have signed an agreement to design a new multi-purpose theatre in morocco
with the bouregreg valley development agency. with a dedicated land area of 47,000 m2 and a
gross floor area of 27,000 m2, the 'rabat grand theatre' will be equipped with a number of cultural facilities,
including a 2,050-seat theatre, a smaller 520-seat theatre, creative studios and an outdoor amphitheatre
with a capacity to hold up to 7,000 people. the cost of the project is estimated at around 163 million USD.

the site for the projects is the geographic centre between the twin cities of rabat and salè; the historic
kasbag oudayas to the northwest, the ancient city of salè and airport to the north-east, chellah and
the royal palace to the south-west and the proposed sequence III of amwaj development to the east.

the design takes off from the adjacent bouregreg river: in a similar dynamic manner, the landscape of the park
is generated in a single gesture to engulf the amphitheatre. the ground extends to the sky, resulting in a
sculpted envelope over the two auditoria and arches back down to the ground level to melt into the landscape.
the form is a seamless structure, creating a spatial experience that directs the visitors intuitively through
the main foyer and programs.

entryway

rendered in context
image by methanoia

alongside the bouregreg river

exterior view
image by methanoia

project info:

program: grand theatre, multi-purpose theatre, amphitheatre
client: agence pour l'aménagement de la valléè du bouregreg

design: zaha hadid with patrik schumacher
associate: nils peter fisher
project leader: william tan
project team: torsten broeder, martin krcha, hoda nobakhti, rafael contreras, yevgeniya pozigun, michal treder

structure engineer: adams kara taylor
MEP engineer: maxfordhamacoustics & theatre: artec consultant
facade: donnell consultants incorporated
lighting: office for visual interaction inc

site area: approx. 47,000 m2
gross floor area: approx. 27,000 m2