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S.V. Konings
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The Theatre's Fourth Act
Reshaping the notion of theatre through spatial solutions
Master thesis
(2026)
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S.V. Konings, S. De Vocht, J.S. Zeinstra, M. Parravicini, S. Pietsch, D.J. Rosbottom
This Master's thesis presents 'The Fourth Act', an architectural framework that transforms the concept of contemporary theatre from an exclusive, closed-off institution into an open civic sanctuary. Taking Theater de Veste on the historic Gasthuisplaats in Delft as a case study, the project aims to redefine theatre through spatial solutions.
The design establishes a vital connection with the city by merging the theatre with CultuurLab, a local community hub open day and night, ensuring the building is continuously activated. Breaking down the traditional psychological and physical barriers of the performing arts, the architecture embraces structural transparency. It reveals the theatre-as-a-machine by displaying internal logistics, administrative work and daylight-filled rehearsal studios directly to the public. This lowers the threshold by revealing how theatre is made.
Spatially, the project introduces a rhythmic sequence of indoor and outdoor public 'rooms', including four tranquil courtyards. These are anchored by two primary entrances that integrate the large cultural volume into Delft's dense urban fabric. To balance this literal and figurative openness, the design provides psychological enclosure, or 'geborgenheid', through deeply recessed entry porticos and intimate, monochrome performance halls that isolate audiences from urban distractions.
In terms of materials, the building exhibits a unified architectural duality: a heavy, pink-tinted, precast concrete base connects it to its historic neighbours, while a lightweight, burgundy-brown, satin-finish aluminium upper volume serves as a contemporary civic landmark. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates how deliberate architectural interventions can successfully reconcile historical theatricality with inclusive, everyday accessibility. ...
The design establishes a vital connection with the city by merging the theatre with CultuurLab, a local community hub open day and night, ensuring the building is continuously activated. Breaking down the traditional psychological and physical barriers of the performing arts, the architecture embraces structural transparency. It reveals the theatre-as-a-machine by displaying internal logistics, administrative work and daylight-filled rehearsal studios directly to the public. This lowers the threshold by revealing how theatre is made.
Spatially, the project introduces a rhythmic sequence of indoor and outdoor public 'rooms', including four tranquil courtyards. These are anchored by two primary entrances that integrate the large cultural volume into Delft's dense urban fabric. To balance this literal and figurative openness, the design provides psychological enclosure, or 'geborgenheid', through deeply recessed entry porticos and intimate, monochrome performance halls that isolate audiences from urban distractions.
In terms of materials, the building exhibits a unified architectural duality: a heavy, pink-tinted, precast concrete base connects it to its historic neighbours, while a lightweight, burgundy-brown, satin-finish aluminium upper volume serves as a contemporary civic landmark. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates how deliberate architectural interventions can successfully reconcile historical theatricality with inclusive, everyday accessibility. ...
This Master's thesis presents 'The Fourth Act', an architectural framework that transforms the concept of contemporary theatre from an exclusive, closed-off institution into an open civic sanctuary. Taking Theater de Veste on the historic Gasthuisplaats in Delft as a case study, the project aims to redefine theatre through spatial solutions.
The design establishes a vital connection with the city by merging the theatre with CultuurLab, a local community hub open day and night, ensuring the building is continuously activated. Breaking down the traditional psychological and physical barriers of the performing arts, the architecture embraces structural transparency. It reveals the theatre-as-a-machine by displaying internal logistics, administrative work and daylight-filled rehearsal studios directly to the public. This lowers the threshold by revealing how theatre is made.
Spatially, the project introduces a rhythmic sequence of indoor and outdoor public 'rooms', including four tranquil courtyards. These are anchored by two primary entrances that integrate the large cultural volume into Delft's dense urban fabric. To balance this literal and figurative openness, the design provides psychological enclosure, or 'geborgenheid', through deeply recessed entry porticos and intimate, monochrome performance halls that isolate audiences from urban distractions.
In terms of materials, the building exhibits a unified architectural duality: a heavy, pink-tinted, precast concrete base connects it to its historic neighbours, while a lightweight, burgundy-brown, satin-finish aluminium upper volume serves as a contemporary civic landmark. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates how deliberate architectural interventions can successfully reconcile historical theatricality with inclusive, everyday accessibility.
The design establishes a vital connection with the city by merging the theatre with CultuurLab, a local community hub open day and night, ensuring the building is continuously activated. Breaking down the traditional psychological and physical barriers of the performing arts, the architecture embraces structural transparency. It reveals the theatre-as-a-machine by displaying internal logistics, administrative work and daylight-filled rehearsal studios directly to the public. This lowers the threshold by revealing how theatre is made.
Spatially, the project introduces a rhythmic sequence of indoor and outdoor public 'rooms', including four tranquil courtyards. These are anchored by two primary entrances that integrate the large cultural volume into Delft's dense urban fabric. To balance this literal and figurative openness, the design provides psychological enclosure, or 'geborgenheid', through deeply recessed entry porticos and intimate, monochrome performance halls that isolate audiences from urban distractions.
In terms of materials, the building exhibits a unified architectural duality: a heavy, pink-tinted, precast concrete base connects it to its historic neighbours, while a lightweight, burgundy-brown, satin-finish aluminium upper volume serves as a contemporary civic landmark. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates how deliberate architectural interventions can successfully reconcile historical theatricality with inclusive, everyday accessibility.
Gerrit Rietveld and ArtEZ University of Arts
An investigation into the architect’s influence on the experience and use of the art academy
This thesis is written as part of the ten-week History and Theory course of the Mastertrack Architecture at the TU Delft.
The ArtEZ Academy building, which was designed by the renowned architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, remains an iconic work that inspires architects and designers to this day. This thesis delves into Rietveld’s influence on the academy’s usage and experience through his design. It utilizes archival research and interviews with 12 current and former staff members and students to answer this question. The thesis concludes that Rietveld’s design principles were characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the use of primary colours. Additionally, his teaching approach encouraged his students to think outside the box. Despite its challenges, the building still stands as a testament to Rietveld’s vision and continues to have an influence on students and architects today. The facilities department is currently developing a renovation plan to address the current issues while preserving the building’s design. Accessibility and sustainability are two important considerations in this process. The Rietveld building is a remarkable piece of architecture that continues to inspire and influence designers to this day. ...
The ArtEZ Academy building, which was designed by the renowned architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, remains an iconic work that inspires architects and designers to this day. This thesis delves into Rietveld’s influence on the academy’s usage and experience through his design. It utilizes archival research and interviews with 12 current and former staff members and students to answer this question. The thesis concludes that Rietveld’s design principles were characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the use of primary colours. Additionally, his teaching approach encouraged his students to think outside the box. Despite its challenges, the building still stands as a testament to Rietveld’s vision and continues to have an influence on students and architects today. The facilities department is currently developing a renovation plan to address the current issues while preserving the building’s design. Accessibility and sustainability are two important considerations in this process. The Rietveld building is a remarkable piece of architecture that continues to inspire and influence designers to this day. ...
This thesis is written as part of the ten-week History and Theory course of the Mastertrack Architecture at the TU Delft.
The ArtEZ Academy building, which was designed by the renowned architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, remains an iconic work that inspires architects and designers to this day. This thesis delves into Rietveld’s influence on the academy’s usage and experience through his design. It utilizes archival research and interviews with 12 current and former staff members and students to answer this question. The thesis concludes that Rietveld’s design principles were characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the use of primary colours. Additionally, his teaching approach encouraged his students to think outside the box. Despite its challenges, the building still stands as a testament to Rietveld’s vision and continues to have an influence on students and architects today. The facilities department is currently developing a renovation plan to address the current issues while preserving the building’s design. Accessibility and sustainability are two important considerations in this process. The Rietveld building is a remarkable piece of architecture that continues to inspire and influence designers to this day.
The ArtEZ Academy building, which was designed by the renowned architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, remains an iconic work that inspires architects and designers to this day. This thesis delves into Rietveld’s influence on the academy’s usage and experience through his design. It utilizes archival research and interviews with 12 current and former staff members and students to answer this question. The thesis concludes that Rietveld’s design principles were characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the use of primary colours. Additionally, his teaching approach encouraged his students to think outside the box. Despite its challenges, the building still stands as a testament to Rietveld’s vision and continues to have an influence on students and architects today. The facilities department is currently developing a renovation plan to address the current issues while preserving the building’s design. Accessibility and sustainability are two important considerations in this process. The Rietveld building is a remarkable piece of architecture that continues to inspire and influence designers to this day.