THE CURTAIN

The Pushkinsky Cinema Hall and the Pushkin Square are enveloped in a context of historical heritage. The proximity and the significance of the surroundings, the historical buildings, the prominent position in the urban context and the iconic character of the Pushkinsky Hall, constitutes the background that the proposal had to deal with.
Our proposal tries to explore, from a point of vantage, this exposure and context. Our emulated curtain is a plane superimposed on the Pushkinsky façade, a plane that creates a homogeneous continuity between the façade planes of the square and at the same time maintains the iconic character of the building, re-creating in the public space the symbolic relations between the spectator and the stage.
The curtain acts as a new frontier, generating a renovated perception of Puskin Square, it is also a mechanism of theatrical allegory. The square represents the big public foyer and the curtain the point from where the cinema fictional world begins.

The proposed plane, The Curtain, is divided in three horizontal sections, each section is composed by a series of fixed and rotating panels adding a dynamic effect to the setup. When the panels are closed, the façade can be a stage for multimedia and other light effects. These effects combined with the rotating Corian panels can be used in the premieres to create a dramatic puzzle effect. The panels can be individually rotated, providing endless façade combinations
These panels are to be made with Dupont Corian and mounted on a steel auto-supporting structure. The existing volumes and surfaces are clearly revealed with the removal of annexes, add-ons and other outside materials in the façade.
The project uses DuPont Corian on the fixed and rotating panels and Alesta powder coatings on the steel structure.

This dichotomy is more apparent when the building is approached from the side streets and gradually The Curtain is revealed to the people passing by.
The simple intervention and choice of materials contrasts with the historically charged surroundings, changing the face of Pushkinsky Cinema Hall.

2011

António Rosa da Silva
Paulo Fonseca

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