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.

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.

01/14La MonnaieBuilding of De Munt. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
02/14La MonnaieOpera House. Acoustic commissioning of the stage equipment. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
03/14La MonnaieOpera House. The large hall of the theatre de La Monnaie. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
04/14La MonnaieOpera House. View from the stage onto the audience in the large De Munt hall. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
05/14La MonnaieOpera House. The large hall of the theatre de La Monnaie. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
06/14La MonnaieOpera House. Replacing the seats and wall fabric, retaining their original style. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
07/14La MonnaieOpera House. Replacing the seats and wall fabric, retaining their original style. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
08/14La MonnaieOpera House. Replacing the seats and wall fabric, retaining their original style. Photo © Régie des Bâtiments
09/14De MuntRehearsal Rooms. 250-seat Fiocco Room. Photo © A.2R.C.
10/14De MuntRehearsal Rooms. 250-seat Fiocco Room. Photo © A.2R.C.
11/14De MuntRehearsal Rooms. 250-seat Fiocco Room. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
12/14De MuntRehearsal Rooms. 250-seat Fiocco Room. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
13/14De MuntRehearsal Rooms. Bricks creating acoustic diffusion. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
14/14De MuntRehearsal Rooms. Bricks creating acoustic diffusion. Photo © Kahle Acoustics