Energiehuis – Dordrecht

In the old Municipal Energy Company (national monument), the Dordrecht municipality has established a bundling of six cultural institutions. The generators and transformers have been removed and the six former halls transformed into concert, theater and pop halls, teaching and dance spaces, restaurant and multifunctional rental spaces (MFA).

In order to achieve high-quality internal and external soundproofing, it was decided to create a so-called buffer zone around the various halls and classrooms that could also be used functionally as a logistical public zone. A widely acclaimed design that enabled the desired high-quality acoustic separation (internal and external) while retaining authentic building details. This allows the various institutions to function side by side in the same building without any problem.

Halls
Machine 3, 300 seats or 600 standing places
Bibelot Main Stage, 800 standing places
Bibelot Power Stage, 300 standing places
Ketel 1, 150 seats
Ketel 2, 200 seats (tension grid)
Popcentrale 125 standing places

Our advice
– preparing the Program of Requirements for the theater technology and acoustics
– preparing the preliminary and final design, specifications for theater technology and acoustics
– reviewing the architectural and installation design for pop and theater halls and classrooms
– Supervising the tendering, evaluation and awarding for the theater technology
– management and supervision of construction, completion, aftercare for theater technology and acoustics
– Consultation with and advising the designing and executing parties such as architect,
installation consultant, constructor and various future users (Schouwburg Kunstmin, Poppodium Bibelot,
Muziektheater Hollands Diep, Kunstenonderwijs ToBe, Horeca and several music companies)
– obtaining the approval of the Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE) for the required monument permit.reuse and integration of monumental machinery in the new theater technology as well as
acoustic solutions while maintaining the characteristic glass windows played a major role.
– Preparation and management of multi-year maintenance plan (MJOP).

Result
After completion, the Energiehuis received two design awards (Winner Gouden Feniks 2014 and the audience award BNA Best Building of the Year 2014) in which, in addition to the logistical (acoustic) buffer zone, the theater technology also received a
special mention: “meticulous and inventive theater technology.”