The Fallen Leaf, designed by Eric Rodrigues, has been named the first-place winner of the competition for the new Sylvan open air theatre in Cherkasy City Park, Ukraine. With a plan to demolish the old building, the new theatre is inspired by nature: it integrates into the landscape of the Cherkasy municipal park and uses only natural and locally sourced stone and wood. The form of the glue laminated timber roof is that of a falling leaf, whose organic slope helps to enhance the theatre's acoustics.
Further strengthening the design's acoustics and relationship to site, the theatre works below ground level, with an auditorium that holds 700 people. On the lower level, a courtyard provides natural light and ventilation and can also accommodate a bar setup. Also underground is the backstage area, including storage, changing rooms, and restrooms. Two areas accommodate guests with disabilities at the ground and lower levels.
The design uses the natural slope of the site to augment seating capacity, which spans from the built theatre onto the green slope. The seating area is defined by concrete-supported soil and vegetation, blending the building into the landscape.
New via: Eric Rodrigues
