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Music Theatre MUMUTH at KUG

This is a project by UNStudio and it is located at Graz, Austria. Project's program: University faculty building for the performing and musical arts. There are eleven images for Music Theatre MUMUTH at KUG.

: © Christian Richters

Project details

Project name: Music Theatre MUMUTH at KUG
Location: Graz, Austria
Program: University faculty building for the performing and musical arts
Area: Site Area: 2,745 m2 • Gross Floor Aurface: 6,200 m2
Year: Design: 1998-2003 • Construction: 2006-2008
More details: Volume: 31,600 m3
Client: BIG, Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft
Project by: UNStudio
Team: Principal Designers: Ben van Berkel, Caroline Bos, Hannes Pfau • Design Team: Miklos Deri, Kirsten Hollmann, Markus Berger, Florian Pischetsrieder, Uli Horner, Albert Gnodde, Peter Trummer, Maarten van Tuijl, Matthew Johnston, Mike Green, Monica Pacheco, Ger Gijzen, Wouter de Jonge
Others: Interior: KUG, University for Music and Applied Arts • Engineering: Arup London (Cecil Balmond, Volker Schmid, Charles Walker, Francis Archer) • Engineering Execution: Peter Mandl and Partners • Specifications: Housinc Bauconsult, Vienna • Accoustics and Building Physics: ZT Gerhard Tomberger, Pro Acoustics Engineering • Stage Technique: e.f.f.e.c.t.s. technisches Büro

Project images

Designer's statement

The relationship between music and architecture is a classical one. And since the MUMUTH theatre belongs to the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz and is therefore a place where young musicians receive their instruction in the performing and musical arts, it seems appropriate to let the architecture communicate that this is a building in which music lives.

The building is structured to combine a unit-based volume (the black box of the theatre) and a series of movement-based volumes (foyer and public circulation). Because this organising principle is made constructive, a fluent internal spatial arrangement is actualised, efficiently connecting spaces to each other. The multipurpose auditorium can seat up to 450, and is adaptable to a great variety of performances. The free-flowing space of the foyer is made possible by a spiraling constructive element that connects the entrance to the auditorium and to the music rooms above, thus welding together ‘with a twist’ the three levels of this side of the building. This twist forms a 3D interpretation of the repetitive pattern, executed in the muted tones of stage make-up, which is applied to the facades and then enveloped by a glittering mesh.