Article source: MANUELLE GAUTRAND ARCHITECTURE 

A BUILDING WITH A PRECIOUS HISTORY

Firstly named “National Drama Center of the Nord Pas de Calais” then “Theater of the Northern Countries” and finally renamed “La Comédie De Bethune” by Agathe Alexis and Alain Barsacq who managed it from 1992, this theater distinguishes itself by its location in the heart of a territory marked by the crisis.

Image Courtesy © Philippe Ruaul

• Architects: MANUELLE GAUTRAND ARCHITECTURE 
• Project: The Extension-Renovation of The Comedie De Bethune–National Drama Center
• Location: BETHUNE, FRANCE
• Photography: Philippe Ruaul, Luc Boegly
• ENGINEERS & CONSULTANTS:
  • Stage design: BATI-SCENE
  • Structural engineering: KHEPHREN
  • Acoustics: Jean-Paul LAMOUREUX
  • Fluids engineering & economy: HEXA INGENIERIE
  • Scheduling and coordination: HD PROJECT
• MAIN FIRMS:
  • Shell : RAMERY
  • Façades : DITER
  • Partitions – ceilings : C4M
  • Woodwork : BARA MENUISERIE
  • Painting-wall coatings : VANDENDRIESSCHE
  • HVAC and plumbing : BONNEL
  • Electricity – Networks : EIFFAGE ENERGIE
  • Stage equipment: CAIRE-MANGANELLI
• Surface: 2.0820 sqm in total, including extension of 720 sqm , Extension & restructuring cost: about 3,6 million Euros
  including all taxes Theater of 350 places, with grid, 15-meter high and 14-meter large scene frame, 15,50-meter large and 13,50-meter deep theater floor with trap room, grid and fake grid. Rehearsal space with grid.
• DATES: Initial building : competition: 1994, delivered in 1999., Extension-restructuring: competition : 2009, Studies:
  2010-2013, Construction: 2013-2014, Opening of the new theater with its rehearsal space : September 2014.

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