Renovation of the Astra Kino in Brixen

Conversion into a cultural centre: the building, erected in 1935/36 for the fascist youth organisation GIL (Astra Kino) and designed by the architects Francesco Mansutti and Gino Miozzo, was originally a U-shaped complex with a narrow, elongated block along Romstraße in Brixen. The slightly taller central section was flanked by two lower wings: the eastern one as the head building of the gymnasium adjoining to the south, which no longer survives, the western one as the entrance to the oval theatre hall. The latter was adapted as a cinema in the 1960s but is still fully preserved in form and external appearance.

Project information

Location
Brixen, South Tyrol
Status
Completed
Type
Building archaeology, Heritage conservation, Commercial & office, Interiors, Refurbishment, Urban design, Tourism, Public spaces
Client
Gemeinde Brixen
Brief
Renovation and conversion
Renovierung-Astra-Kino-Brixen-03

On the occasion of the exhibition “Belichtet – Tiroler Fotografie von 1854-2011” (Exposed – Tyrolean Photography 1854-2011) by Durst Phototechnik AG from July to October 2012, the Astra Kino was to be quickly repaired in a first step so as to open the building for future cultural events. The primary challenge in refurbishing the former Astra Kino lay in dealing with the massive structural and technical problems of a building that had been neglected for a long time. All works had to be planned and carried out with the least possible economic and constructional effort. The refurbishment of the entrance area to the hall was designed by our office in close cooperation with the municipality of Brixen and the provincial heritage office in Bozen.

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For the new use, all room partitions installed during the building’s time as a cinema were removed. The large foyer was cleared out, and in the rooms below space was created for exhibitions, with adapted lighting and connections for exhibition equipment, as well as sanitary facilities. Vertical circulation was supplemented by a lift. A sophisticated lighting concept also includes the ceiling design in the entrance area with a monumental backlit photographic print. The restoration of the façade and the refurbishment of the oval theatre hall are planned for the coming years.
The conversion of the Astra Kino into Brixen’s new cultural centre was nominated for the 7th South Tyrolean Architecture Prize 2013.

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