THEATERCAFÉ

Chassé Theater Breda: From 2003 to the Present...

2003
Part of the architectural icon, the Chassé Theater, designed by architect Herman Hertzberger, is located in the monumental Kloosterkazerne. Dating back to 1504, the Kloosterkazerne has been used as the Holland Casino since 2003. M+R Interior Architecture was part of the design team for the building’s repurposing. During the design process, the theater asked us to create a design for the brasserie. The old theater café had to make way for a new entrance and parking garage for both the theater and casino. For the brasserie, we developed a concept featuring an iconic central red bar, with a series of design lights slowly moving above. The monumental space is fitted with barracks-style parquet, and the old wrought-iron columns from the monument are preserved. The bar and restroom area were integrated into the space, allowing the building's original structure to remain clearly visible. The lamps and interactive photos create a theatrical effect, constantly changing the space.

2005
After completing the brasserie, we took on the supervision of the theater's entire interior. To expand the foyer's capacity, we developed a hospitality concept at the front of the theater: a sleek white space with an elongated glass bar called FRONT. The idea behind this space was to create a place for seeing and being seen. It is designed as an extension of the square in front of the theater, referencing street theater. Behind the bar, a mirrored wall gives the space an infinite feel while breaking up the long room. Bottles on glass shelves create a colorful kaleidoscope. The restrooms are transparent, with three toilets placed as a separate block inside a fully glass-enclosed space. FRONT was completed in 2005, featuring the first restroom with a dedicated transgender toilet. The restroom includes large round windows that provide the feeling of ‘wild urination’ while ensuring privacy.

2010
In 2010, we completed the booking office for the Chassé Theater. Located at the front of the building, the office is entirely white. The back wall of the office originally featured a beautiful photo of a woman lying on a pile of coal, which inspired Herman Hertzberger’s design for the undulating roof structure with the theater tower. The furniture in the office is organically shaped, and above the large reading table, a chandelier hangs, adorned with red and black paint droplets. In the foyer, the large cloakroom was moved to the entrance, creating more space and improving the flow of visitors.

2015
As part of the concept to make the theater more accessible and open outside of its regular programming, M+R developed a flexible workspace and hospitality concept. The flexible workspace, CHASSE CONNECT, is located above FRONT, featuring a pallet of red-colored furniture and upholstery as a nod to the theater. The space includes various workstations and design icons for flexible workers. A large relief wall with theater and film posters completes the space. In the foyer, the GERECHT hospitality concept is situated at the entrance, where visitors can enjoy lunch during the day, and theater-goers can order a simple meal before the show in the evening. The back wall is a fully stainless-steel cabinet with a translucent transparent back, featuring LED lighting that can change color. The cinema bar above the foyer has been completely redesigned, with the bar and back bar forming a monolithic element.

2019
With the public spaces completed, the restrooms are completely renovated. The new restroom design is part of the theater’s sustainability initiative, focusing on water and energy efficiency. Each restroom receives new sanitary fixtures, seamless floors, and walls. Every restroom features a special 'eyecatcher' wall with buttons on which a text is formed using a lamp with colored electrical cables. The washbasins are large mirrored walls with integrated soap dispensers and towel machines. Even a visit to the restroom becomes an experience.

2020
In the basement of the theater are the dressing rooms, showers, restrooms, and the artist café. In 2020, the basement was renovated in line with the public spaces. For the dressing rooms, M+R designed two concepts: a luxury 'gold' dressing room and a standard 'red' dressing room. Both the dressing rooms and the artist café received the same sustainability updates and the special eyecatcher wall, each with its own unique interpretation of the theme. The artist café was equipped with a special curtain rail system, allowing the space to be divided and used flexibly for large or small groups and activities.