Theatre Populaire

FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture

Project idea

The idea of the project Theatre Populaire is the revitalization of the complex of Theatre Populaire in the capital city of Burkina Faso, Africa, in such way, that the layout, combination of materials, the process of construction, appearance of the buildings and surrounding will serve their purpose: UNITING PEOPLE, especially the Burkina Faso nation.

Project description

Complex Theatre Populaire is a cultural-educational centre in the heart of the capital of Burkina Faso with a dominant great amphitheatre made of reinforced concrete which towers over the flat Ouagadougou land.
The concept of the layout of the buildings and functions in the Theatre Populaire complex is composed around the meeting place and green amphithetre with a ground floor in a round shape. Circle symbolizes UNITY as a crucial value in the community and the whole society of Burkina Faso since this value appers in the motto of the state, as welll. There are buildings of LABO zone situated around the green amphitheatre and colonnade in a half circle. LABO zone comprises educational space modules with educational space orientated towards the colonnade and a 2-storey block with hygienic facilities. Choreographers and teachers of dance and theatre will surely appreciate the views of their choreography or scene from above from a gallery on the first floor. There is a former Grand studio which will be revitalised. It will have a shed roof to match other buildings in the area. Its function will also change. There will be gallery, multipurpose room, administrative and teacher´s room on the ground floor and accommodation on the first floor. There could be a terrace under the roof to watch what is happening in the central area of Theatre Populaire - it could be a vision for the future development of the Theatre Populaire complex. The cirle continues by a the object of café, reception and cash desk with outdoor seating under roof. This building is a revitalised former building and the main entrance to the areal of Theatre Populaire is nearby from the west. All objects have a shed or a skillion roof. The spare half of the imaginary circle could be created from market stalls during the festivals held in Theatre Populaire. The main stage is located in front of the great amphitheatre and is easily accessible from the north (props, sound and lighting apparatus). Spectators can come to the amphitheatre along a little park with site specific art and other different creative installations and a concrete supporting wall with traditional Burkina Faso patterns. The great amphitheatre has capacity of 2,500 spectators, the green amphitheatre 88 seats and special space for the handicapped and prams with babies.

Technical information

The Theatre Populaire project is designed to support economy of the country of Burkina Faso. I chose local or easily locally accessible materials to build from. The whole project aims to its goal - UNITING PEOPLE. Both during and after the construction of new and the revitalization of the former buildings and structures.
I love the fact that Burkina Faso people are used to work as a community and are willing to participate on the building process and to share their experience when talking about unburnt bricks. That is the main reason why I decided to use unburnt bricks dried by lieing in the sun reinforced with small pieces of straw or reeds.
Foundations of all new objects are made of concrete. The buildings themselves are made of unburnt bricks except for the green amphitheatre which consists of concrete footing, bamboo vaulting beams tied with steel components, and a large fabric hanging from the vaults to provide shade.
Colonnade and outdoor terrace of the café comprise bamboo slopes. The floors are traditional - made of layers of gravel (ground floor), clay and oil impregnation. Ceilings and staircases are made of reinforced concrete. 3D steel howe trusses bear metal roofs which are used in Burkina Faso due to their low price. Reeds false ceiling hangs on the truss and surrounding walls to preventit from unrequired movement. Hot air is pushed to circulate between two layers (false ceiling and roof) so there is not too hot under the reeds false ceiling.
Windows and doors are made from steel and have steel shadings.
Since the educational space are designed as open spaces, they need shading. So I propose to use curtains from cotton which is locally planted and exported from Burkina Faso all around the world.