Solothurn’s municipal theatre is located in a 17th century building complex in the middle of the city’s heritage-protected old town. During the comprehensive renovation process, Baroque parapets ornamented with murals were found and restored. The discovery has established the theatre hall as Switzerland’s oldest.

The classic brass lettering echoes the gold of the mural paintings, the chandeliers and the staircase in the foyer. In the theatre’s interior, the signage is discreetly painted directly on the surface substrate. Four floor-to-ceiling illustrations function simultaneously as decoration and orientation. The narrow building’s maze of corridors steer actors and musicians to their respective destinations: orchestra pit, make-up, costume und tailoring.

• Address:

  Theatergasse 16-18, 4500 Solothurn

• New build:

  2015

• Architecture:

  Phalt Architekten AG, Zürich

• Commissioned by:

  Stadtbauamt Abteilung Hochbau, Stadt Solothurn

• Project team:

  Natalie Bringolf, Kristin Irion, Nadine Ochsner, Judith Stutz

• Artwork:

  Julia Marti, Zürich

• Photography:

  Roger Frei, Zürich