The current headquarters of the theater is located on Sokoła Street, and the newly designed facilities will be situated in its immediate vicinity – on Cieplińskiego Avenue. The main aspects that served as the starting point for the project were: respecting the existing urban architecture, preserving valuable tree species on the plot, and creating functional performance spaces. The modern complex is designed to emphasize the significance of the projected structure while not competing with the existing theater buildings. The project has the potential to become an icon of cultural life in Rzeszów.

The urban essence of the concept was to open the building towards Cieplińskiego Avenue, utilizing the natural pedestrian flow. The free passage to the theater grounds makes the facility inclusive. Technical conditions of the plot – including dense underground infrastructure – somewhat determined the entrance zone of the building, located under the overhang, which serves as a welcoming invitation to enter the theater grounds. This guided approach shapes user experience. The plaza formed under the overhang highlights the entrance zone, extending it as a forecourt. By establishing a clear connection between the building and the city’s main artery, the theater institution becomes accessible and inviting. The project aims for a comprehensive and holistic treatment of the developed area. The project’s narrative, to some extent, revolves around impressive old oaks – natural landmarks and longtime witnesses to cultural events. The building’s form, and even the precisely chosen placement of the structures, have allowed for the creation of a patio – an outdoor lounge of the building, adorned by ancient trees. The complex has become an integral part of the urban fabric – it doesn’t dominate, but rather invites and encourages the formation of new social bonds. This relationship presents an opportunity for creating informal interdependencies with the cultural institution.

The new building of the Wanda Siemaszkowa Theater is a composition of several interpenetrating volumes, creating an impression of a fragmented built environment and visually reducing the scale of the structure. The apparent fragmentation of the building has created a kind of sequence, allowing for the discovery of successive spaces, while making the building functionally clear. The formation of the building volumes revolves around the existing natural landmarks – ancient oaks. They play a leading role, around which the story unfolds. The project preserves the trees, whose presence positively impacts microclimate improvement, air filtration, and the so-called heat island effect reduction. The trees also serve as a connecting element between the new development and the existing urban fabric. Preserving them means that on hot summer days, people will seek shelter under the sprawling branches of these deciduous specimens. It’s also the simplest form of biodiversity protection. The contemporary city is open to all, even the smallest organisms, which among the existing trees can build their everyday lives. The complex is complemented by an independent decoration warehouse building. Subdued, prefabricated facades harmonize with the existing, diverse urban fabric while emphasizing the institution’s importance. The seemingly imperfect structure and the profile with a wavering shape attempt to create a fluid, weather-responsive object, on whose facades the sunlight will break and cast shadows of tree branches. The solid, simple, subdued facade is intended as a backdrop for the stories presented on the stage.

The spacious, naturally lit foyer, with direct access to the patio, is not only a space for people to gather: theater lovers, and the local community, but also a place for building social relationships. Its open, liberated structure can be used to present diverse performative forms. The cafe located in the foyer, with an exit to the patio, is a space that will be bustling with life at various times of the day. Large windows act as frames, framing the sculpted oaks, which have been cultural observers of Rzeszów’s events for centuries. Noteworthy are the suspended copper strips on the ceiling, whose form gives the space a distinctive, geometric character. The interior atmosphere is imbued with a theatrical aura of authenticity and noble expression. Dark theater spaces harmonize with peculiar copper elements, giving the interiors a unique tonality. The theater halls are directly accessible from the foyer: the New Stage with seating for nearly 180 people and the Young Stage for 60 spectators. Each hall will be equipped with modern stage technology, allowing for great flexibility in arranging performances. The designed building will also include space for rehearsal rooms, guest rooms, a cafe, bright dressing rooms, administrative offices, and technical facilities. The facility also features an exhibition space – the Szajna Gallery.

The designed object is a story about functional spaces that interact with the architectural expression of buildings, which will serve as a balanced complement to the frontage on Cieplińskiego Avenue. The Wanda Siemaszkowa Theater will be a synthetic, open to the city and the region, a theatrical center, accessible to all, a place of meetings, and a pulsating center of culture.