The new Lampegiet Theatre, which was designed by MVRDV in partnership with Buro Happold, has been cleared for building by the Municipality of Veenendaal in the Netherlands. 

The main auditorium of the new theater, which will replace the old, dilapidated theater on the same property, will have 700 seats. There will also be a smaller auditorium with 200 seats and another with 100 seats that will be used by Filmhuis Veenendaal and other organizations. 

Referencing Veenendaal's history and culture, the design turns the Lampegiet Theatre into an urban lantern that opens out to the city through a porous ceramic façade that is draped over the building like a garment.Constructed in 1988, the present Lampegiet Theatre is located in the heart of Veenendaal. The Lampegietersavond, a customary local celebration held every September in which kids parade around the city with lanterns, is referenced in the building's name. 

The current theater is antiquated, and its layout makes adaptations difficult. The town of Veenendaal set out to replace the existing theater building because they wanted a structure that would be sustainable and accommodate other uses, like movie theaters and pop music venues.

Every auditorium and functional area of the new Lampegiet Theatre's design by MVRDV takes up a separate volume. The three auditoriums, a foyer, a café, and back-of-house spaces make up the six volumes, which are all crammed into one building. The building's mass is divided into smaller parts using this stacking technique, and the different-sized blocks blend in with the other structures.

Visitors approach a large, three-story central lobby with a café and an outdoor terrace from the main entrance on the corner of the theater plaza. With a view of Veenendaal's Old Church and the theater plaza, the flexible cinema is located on the first level above the secondary foyer that leads to the multipurpose auditorium.

A reference to theater curtains and the city's history of industrial textile production, the theater's distinctive façade is made out of a combination of brick and glass, fronted by swooping ceramic screens that resemble cloth draped over the structure. The theater plaza is flooded with ambient light from the building's perforated façades when the foyer is lit up in the evening. As a tribute to the Lampegietersavond tradition, the theater serves as an urban lantern.

As the first phase of a larger rehabilitation of the neighborhood, the new Lampegiet Theatre will serve as the cultural hub of the Duivenweide district. A green city park with an event space, a new parking structure, and residences is also planned in addition to the theater. This new park will be connected to one of Veenendaal's main streets via the theater.

The theater's foyers' expansive glass façades are intended to enliven the square and establish a close link between the activities occurring there and the city's daily life. The theater may be opened to the exterior through large sliding doors, creating a seamless transition between the theater café with its terrace and the green, park-like theater plaza. This makes it possible to host activities like outdoor performances or movies.

"With the Lampegiet Theatre, we bring Veenendaal's rich history to life, from its Lampegietersavond celebrations to its history in industrial textiles. The design reflects these stories by allowing the building to function as an urban lantern, shedding light on both the theatre square and the city itself," said MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs. 

"At the same time, the transparent design invites connection, seamlessly blending inside and out. It was an honour to win both the jury and the public vote in the project competition, demonstrating the strong connection between the building and the community," Van Rijs. 

Together with Buro Happold, the sustainability plan was developed. Sustainable features including a heat pump and photovoltaic panels will be installed in the new Lampegiet Theatre. 

With the addition of green planters and the preservation of trees that the town has deemed noteworthy, the design emphasizes nature. Additionally, the design incorporates bird and bat nesting boxes to improve local biodiversity. In order to ensure the building's lifespan and sustainability, the theater is constructed with adaptable rooms that can change to meet future needs.

Five architectural teams showcased their concepts at an event held for 400 inhabitants in the Municipality of Veenendaal on September 29, 2025. 

The design by MVRDV and Buro Happold was chosen as the winner by the public and a professional jury of theater and construction specialists. 

The Veenendaal City Council authorized funding for the new theater on January 22. It is anticipated that construction will start in 2027 and be completed in 2029.

Project facts

Project name: Theatre Lampegiet 

Location: Veenendaal, The Netherlands

Year: 2025–2029

Client: Municipality of Veenendaal

Size and Programme: 6000 m2 – Culture, theatre

Architect: MVRDV

Founding partner in charge: Jacob van Rijs

Partner: Fokke Moerel

Design team: Mick van Gemert, Nicolás Garín Odriozola, Samantha Gazzolo, Chantal Besteman, Ginevra Balbo

Visualisations: Antonio Luca Coco, Angelo La Delfa, Stefano Fiaschi, Jaroslaw Jeda, Luana La Martina, Pavlos Ventouris, Kirill Emelianov, Ciprian Buzdugan, Lorenzo D'Alessandro Strategy and Development: Juliet den Oudendammer, Mark van den Ouden

Partners:

Structural engineer: Buro Happold 

MEP: Buro Happold

All images & drawings © MVRDV.

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