Opera in Lyon

The competition for the expansion and renovation of the Lyon theater, in the second largest city in France, was won by Jean Nouvel in 1968. The project utilized the existing building, particularly the lower space and the southern, eastern, and western façades up to the height of the first floor of the structure. Nouvel enlarged the stage space, facilities for visitors and actors, and mainly increased the capacity of the auditorium, which he placed within the three lower levels of the original building. The goal of Nouvel's design was for the structure to visually fit with the existing center and especially with the neighboring buildings of the town hall and museum. The roofing is designed in the look of the 20th century, and its material solution and color fit into the urban space. The entrance area is designed using new walls; however, these are inserted between the original columns of the theater. Access to the auditorium is provided by a new steel staircase, escalators, and new suspended horizontal walkways. An interesting feature of the auditorium is that each seat is equipped with a fiber optic lamp. Nouvel found inspiration in the 18th century when seats were commonly equipped with a candle. The candle's purpose was to illuminate the faces of the audience in the auditorium. This tradition is reintroduced here. The theater is specially illuminated from the outside at night, creating a significant landmark for the city both at night and during the day.

Eva Kosíková, Matěj Kosík