GINA Frankfurt Zoo Theatre Exterior View

Children’s and youth theater in the Zoogesellschaftshaus

Competition, Frankfurt

Award: Occasion, aim and purpose of the procedure

Regardless of their background, children and young people need to be introduced to the performing arts as early as possible: On the one hand, to experience cultural participation; this strengthens self-confidence and a sense of belonging. Secondly, to get to know the possibilities of performing arts, dance, physical and linguistic expression as a rich cultural tradition that invites identification. Experience shows: Early artistic experiences literally burn themselves into your memory and can have a positive impact on your whole life.

A needs analysis has shown that the establishment of an independent theater for children and young people in Frankfurt is necessary, particularly in view of the city’s steadily increasing population. The zoo society building has been underused for years and is in need of renovation. The investigations have shown that a multifunctional, participatory center for children’s and youth theater that meets current pedagogical and artistic standards can be accommodated there. In this way, the zoo society house will be reactivated and made accessible to the public again. In addition to the children’s and youth theater, areas are to be created for the administration of the zoo, a zoo school and presentation areas on the subject of nature conservation and biodiversity.

Concept Gina Barcelona & SHA Scheffler Helbich Architects

The preservation of biodiversity, the protection of species and the educational communication of these principles make the zoo an important source of inspiration for all citizens; especially – in the sense of an educational mission – for children and young people, but also for those who are connected to the “Theater im Zoo”, which invites them to reflect and have fun.

The joint concept by Gina Barcelona Architects and SHA Scheffler Helbich Architekten sees the new children’s and youth theater in the Zoogesellschaftshaus as a gateway from urban reality into the world of nature and imagination; open to creativity, preservation, initiative, participation and integration. Its facades are intended to be a stimulus for the surroundings.

The building is impressive and attractive in itself, but its location between the city center and the Ostend is even more so. It thus plays a connecting and transitional role: as an entrance from urban reality to the world of nature. In a sense, it also symbolizes the hope for a better world, perhaps even a fantasy world. It is precisely this significance that is taken up and elaborated in our proposal.

The west façade on Alfred-Brehm-Platz dominates the urban axis and characterizes the representative image of the building. The east façade, with a view of the zoo, is intended to open up towards nature. The building acts as a bridge between them, with steps that bring the life of the theater closer to the city and a void that draws the energy of the zoo into the building.

The theater hall is the new heart of the historic site and structures the rooms around it. The classical and the contemporary form a harmonious whole. This ensemble serves as a canvas for a variety of activities aimed at all target groups.

Explanatory report as PDF download: A building as a gateway to the world of nature

Figures and
Facts

Sponsor: City of Frankfurt am Main
Non-open realization competition 2021 according to RPW 2013
Design participants: Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Josep Benedito, Gina; Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Pere Joan Ravetllat, Gina; Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Marc Horstmeier, SHA

»The building of the Frankfurt Zoo Association has historically played an important role in urban development as a link between the city center and the Ostend district.«

Christoph Wunderlich, Prokurist & Leitung SHA-Büro Berlin