The city as a theatre
Theatres occupy a central place in Italian outdoor life, especially in smaller villages such as San Miniato in the province of Pisa. A design for a small theatre has to take into consideration that theatre life takes place not only on stage, but also among the public. Street and theatre approach each other, as spontaneous and more formal manifestations of culture claim public attention. In a sense, the theatre is the city, and vice versa.
City and theatre converge
A World War II bomb had left the urban fabric of the site torn apart, but any attempt to restore the fabric would ultimately eradicate its past. On top of that, it would preclude a unique opportunity: to connect street levels that had up to now been separated due to natural height differences. A theatre in the open, used for performances, screenings, and meetings, crossing streets, would introduce a new public life to this site.
Urban fabric left open
Our proposal finishes the ruptured walls of neighbouring houses with necessary theatre facilities, creates a new stage and tribune, and leaves the crossing street to function as a proscenium. Sitting on top of the sloped hill, onlookers enjoy a view over the stage that extends from the scenery seamlessly into the marvellous Tuscan hills.
View from the tribune