Cité du Théâtre

The Cité du Théâtre, designed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, is a cultural complex in Paris that invites participation and fosters community engagement. It creates new performing spaces for three prominent theater institutions housed in the Ateliers Berthier, built in 1895 by Charles Garnier: Comédie-Française, Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique (CNSAD), and Théâtre National de l’Odéon – Théâtre de l’Europe. A key feature is the elevated garden, which visually connects to the Parc Martin Luther King and highlights the historic Garnier buildings, which will be carefully restored to maintain their original structure and materiality. Pablo Diego Pastor participated in this competition in 2019, contributing to the development of the project while gaining professional experience.

The Cité du Théâtre spans approximately 22,000 m² and includes seven modular theaters of varying sizes for each institution, along with workshops, classrooms, offices, and communal spaces. The Halle Garnier, a Historic Monument, is transformed into a covered square that provides access to the CNSAD, a mediation center, and restaurants. A unifying 200-meter-long building embraces the site, drawing inspiration from the geometry of the Thiers’ historic wall that once surrounded Paris, with remnants of the wall preserved and integrated into the design.

Respecting the memory of the site, the Cité du Théâtre will be a dynamic cultural hub, transforming the Ateliers Berthier into an open, vibrant public space. It will serve as a meeting place for students, artists, and the public, while its flexible, interconnected spaces encourage collaboration and creativity. This ambitious project aims to be a landmark in Greater Paris, embodying the spirit of theater as an urban experience.