Article source: ALA Architects 

The concept for the Lappeenranta City Theatre is exceptional: the theater has been built on the top floor of a shopping center. The idea, however, is ancient as this is theater coming back to its roots, back to the marketplace, back to the people. Millions of people visiting the shopping center annually will be able to enjoy a variety of plays, while the restaurants cater for intermissions and the hotel offers accommodation.

large theater hall, Image Courtesy © Tuomas Uusheimo

• Architects: ALA Architects
• Project: NEW LAPPEENRANTA CITY THEATRE
• Location: LAPPEENRANTA, Finland
• Photography: Tuomas Uusheimo
• Software used: AutoCAD Architecture, Tekla Bimsight, Rhinoceros 3D
• Project Team: ALA Partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta and Samuli Woolston with Harri Ahokas, Auvo Lindroos, Tiina Juuti, Marlene Oberli-Räihä, Julius Kekoni, Pekka Sivula, Niklas Mahlberg, Tonny Jensen, Mikko Kilpeläinen, Martin Allen, Vladimir Ilic, Anders Jönsson, Sari Vesanen, Santtu Hyvärinen and Mirja Sillanpää
  Collaborators: Sweco PM (project management, implementation phase), ISS Proko (project management, sketch phase), Finnmap Consulting (structural design), L2 Fire Safety (fire safety), Insinööri Studio (HVAC), Pöyry Finland (electrical engineering), Akukon (acoustical engineering), Kokos (AV design), Akumek (stage mechanics), Cederqvist & Jäntti Architects (architect, shopping center) and Evälahti (contractor)
• Client: City of Lappeenranta
• Suppliers: Abloy (iron monger), Ecophon (acoustic materials), Elam (veneer walls), Jaatimet (stage scenery doors), Jakob (wire balustrade), Rica Auditoria (auditorium seating, acoustic wall installations), Rockfon (acoustic materials), SKS Mechatronics (stage mechanics), Sunotek (stage mechanics), Stöbich (fireproof stage curtain), Weber (foyer floor), Ypäjän metalli (catwalk bridges)
• Program: 2 stages, rehearsal hall, foyer and back spaces, 5,300 m2 total
• Status: Built, the opening night on the small stage was on November 21, 2015, the official opening reception will be held on
• January: 15-16, 2016

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