David Capell

Wilhelmina Pier, characterised by a blend of historical buildings and its former function as docklands, rapidly developed into a significant neighbourhood for cultural activities as well as services. These are now dominating the area in form of newly built buildings or renovated historical edifices.

The model´s goal is to thoughtfully deal with the traditional elements of a theatre: its hall that dominates the entire building, its stage, its curtain. It aims at fulfilling contemporary requirements in terms of flexibility and presentation of a dance centre located in a heterogeneous and pulsating environment. In its typology, the model alludes to warehouses und industrial workshops.

The building’s body is divided into three functional floors.

The first floor consists of the dance centre’s stage - allowing visitors of the pier to get in touch with the activities taking place in the dance centre in a seemingly accidental manner. It is meant as a forum for dancers as well as for both purposeful and spontaneous visitors.
The open theatre hall constitutes the core of the building.
Between performances it functions as an assembly area for the users of the building.
During performances only a curtain covering all stories separates it.

The second floor contains the service function of the dance academy and embodies the intersection of performance /lounge areas and the focused work in the dance studios.
Due to the floor’s vertical structure it is directly linked to the dance studios.
Furthermore, this floor serves as an essential element of the building’s static structure allowing the ceiling to be freely spun across the ground floor.

On the third floor, preparation and contemplative work of the dance academy’s members takes place.
Dance studios and locker rooms structure the area. The actual work is determined by the change between preparation and disciplined dance in dance studios which are characterised by transoms.

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