Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma

Architecture, Auditorium
LITERATURE STUDY
Submitted to-.
Submitted by-
Architect Vishal Jain
Amita Maddhesiya
B.Arch 3rd Year ( 5th
semester)
[ ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN I.T.M.S.A.T.P
–V]
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma Architecture, Auditorium

AUDITORIUM :SHARJAH,
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Architects: Magma
Architecture
Area: 820 m²
Year: 2012
• Photographs: Torsten
Seidel
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
• The conversion of the Masrah Al Qasba Theater
in Sharjah is the first project to be completed by
magma architecture in the United Arab Emirates.
Visitors to the 300 seat auditorium find
themselves wrapped in a sculpturally undulating
space evoking recollections of the landscapes of 
Sharjah. Carefully concealed lighting elements
shining through stretchable fabric surfaces
enhance the spatial sensation of continuous
enclosure. The Masrah Al Qasba Theater is
shortlisted for the 2012 LEAF Awards.
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Design brief was to create a theatre design equally rooted
in the nature and history of the Emirate of Sharjah as
embracing its cultural future. The design for the new Al
Qasba conversion is based on a subtle atmospheric
amalgamation of everyday life of the past and
contemporary world of theatre. In the days of nomadic life
news was transmitted through oral narrative in the open-air
of the nocturnal desert landscape. Thne design of the Al
Qasba auditorium refers to the nature of Sharjah as
inspiration and suggests an inverted, fully enclosing
scenographic landscape.
• Undulating surfaces with light strips on fold lines
scatter across the ceiling evoking images of
evening sun streaking sand dunes. Visitors
entering the auditorium disconnect from everyday
life to immerse into the surprising and striking
space of the staged narrative in the new Masrah Al
Qasba Theater.
 Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
• Past and present are also mirrored in the choice of materials for the project. The interior skin is created out
of textile, a traditional building material in the region, albeit in a high tech contemporary make. The textile
wraps the walls and ceiling of the 300 seat auditorium space in a continuous smooth surface. Lights on
fold lines gently accentuate the double curvature shapes.
• Design enables illuminating the space without blinding the visitors with lights. Placed on the inclined
ceiling surfaces facing the stage the auditorium lights remain invisible from the spectator seats.Additional
spotlights installed in the cracks in the surface can be switched off to create a softly dimmed illumination
for lectures and talks. Magma architecture also designed and refitted the theatre lobby and adjoining
rooms.
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
• A completely
white space
with soft light
in changing
colors invites
visitors to meet
and linger and
enhances
anticipation of
the theatre
visit.
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Context
The Al Qasba is the main entertainment, cultural
and tourist destination of the Emirate of Sharjah.
Two 150m long and four stories high buildings face
each other on the banks of the Al Qasba Canal.
They house art galleries, shops, restaurants,
business centres, meeting halls and offices flanked
by the Etisalat Ferris wheel to the North.
The Masrah Al Qasba Theater is the venue of
cultural and entertainment events like the annual
Sharjah film festival. Magma architecture was
commissioned with the design in 2008 by the Al
Qasba Development Authority. Construction
started in Sharjah in 2011 and was completed in
2012.
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Technical Details
A techlnically simple solution was developed to create the double curvature surfaces of the auditorium.
Ceiling and walls of the auditorium are covered with a polyamide and spandex textile stretched over an
aluminium substructure. Telescopic rods push out the expandable fabric to form the hills and valleys of the
enclosure. The angle of the aluminium bends were defined using a computerized bending machine.
The fire rated fabric is fixed with Keeder clips into a framework of aluminium profiles. Technical
installations such as air conditioning, sound equipment, light fittings, electrical wiring and acoustic
insulation are concealed behind the porous fabric surface. Maintenance spot lights and ventilation outlets
and intakes are recessed in ceiling joints.
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium
Masrah Al Qasba Theatre/Magma
Architecture, Auditorium