La Monnaie / De Munt, Brussels

La Monnaie / De Munt opera house has been renovated to achieve previous characteristics in order to accommodate contemporary productions be they opera, dance, theatre/drama, concerts and chamber music. It included a fully new stage house and both upper and lower machinery. La Monnaie / De Munt is at the heart of the cultural activities of the European capital.

The extension building, La Monnaie Workshops, with a 250-seat orchestral rehearsal room and a 350-seat opera rehearsal Fiocco Room can also host an audience for public concerts.

Building of De Munt. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments

Opera House. Acoustic commissioning of the stage equipment. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments

Information Sheet

New Build Renovation/Transformation La Monnaie / De Munt www.lamonnaie.be

Location Brussels, Belgium.

Opera House

Project Cost 18 million €.

Time Frame Feasibility study: 2011-2014. Building Phase: 2015-2017. Opening: September 2017.

Owner Régie des Bâtiments, Direction de Bruxelles + Service Public Fédéral Mobilité et Transports, Brussels, Belgium.

Architect(s) Origin Architecture & Engineering, Belgium www.origin.eu • A2RC Architects, Belgium www.a2rc.be

Seat Count The large hall has a 1 150-seat capacity. Total building area 41 670 m².

Uses Theatre that hosts all types of shows, ranging from opera to drama but also dance and chamber music performances.

Services Construction supervision for all the replaced interior elements (including seats and wall fabric in their original style), for the modernization of the stage tower's technical equipment (motorised stage and flying systems) and of the orchestra pit.

Team Thomas Wulfrank, Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics.

Rehearsal Rooms

Project Cost 7,5 millions €.

Time Frame Start of design: 1997. Start of construction: 1999. Opening: January 2000. Completed 2001.

Owner Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie, Brussels.

Architect(s) Michel Verliefden, A2RC Architects, Brussels www.a2rc.be

Seat Count Construction of new opera annex, housing workshops and studios as well as a 350-seat “black box” theatre and a 250-seat chamber music hall and orchestra rehearsal room.

Uses Rehearsal rooms, opera studio, dance, recitals.

Services Acoustics consulting.

Team Eckhard Kahle, project manager, Artec Consultants Inc: 1997-2000. Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics: 2001-2002.