The new building of the Kamala National Theatre | Wowhaus Architectural Bureau

The concept of the National Theatre building is based on a combination of innovative architectural solutions with elements of traditional Tatar culture. The triangles of the facade made of glass and aluminum refer to the natural phenomenon "ice flowers" that occurs on Lake Kaban in winter. The triangular shape also inherits the old theater building, which stands on the opposite shore of the lake.

The facade of the building reflects the lake, the sky and the city. Its triangular elements are made of glass and aluminum and mounted on a steel frame at an angle to each other. Light and reflections create a dynamic picture that changes depending on the time of day and year.

The interior of the theater is decorated with patterns inspired by traditional Tatar women's jewelry. The elements of their ornaments were reinterpreted by the People's Artist of Tatarstan Nailya Kumysnikova, her sketches formed the basis of the theater's decor.

The project provides for 16 petal walls up to 11.4 meters high. Each of the petals marks the entrance to one of the stage halls and conveys its character. Different shades of metal, silver and gold trim in the decoration of the petals, their iridescent glow and layering give the walls lightness and tracery. The lighting of the petals varies depending on the time of day and the program of events.

The theater will become an urban public space and will be open to visitors all day. The four stage halls can accommodate 1,347 spectators. The new theater has four halls: Large, Oriental, Universal and Chamber.

The Great Hall

The 771–seat Great Hall is a central and solemn space with two balconies and three levels of foyer. Its arched arches and smooth semicircular shapes resemble the architecture of mosques.

Universal hall

The universal hall is a multifunctional space in the "Black Box" format, where dark walls and ceiling help to focus attention on the stage. This design allows you to adapt the hall for various events. The number of seats can vary from 100 to 274.

East Hall

A special feature of the East Hall is a large window with a view of Lake Kaban. The walls of the hall are decorated with coins – this decorative element is inspired by Tatar chain mail and raisin jewelry. The round shape of the hall required complex acoustic solutions: plaster coins weighing 40 kg each provide the necessary sound reflection. The coins were made in Tatarstan with careful study of the texture – their surface resembles metal. The capacity of the hall is 241 seats.

Chamber Hall

The chamber hall is designed for small events of various formats: lectures, musical performances, meetings with artists. It also transforms depending on the task. The panoramic window overlooks Lake Kaban.