David Chipperfield beats international rivals to design extension and renovation of opera house in Russia

David Chipperfield Architects has won the competition for a new auditorium and the reconstruction of the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre in Perm, Russia.

Known as the Tchaikovsky Theatre, it is the third most important opera house in Russia and is situated in the Komsomolsky Park.

The project will create a 1,100-seat theatre, rehearsal spaces, and a foyer with restaurant and shop.

The refurbishment of the old theatre, built in 1878 and extended in 1959, is also included.

The project is commissioned by the Perm Region and completion is scheduled for 2014.

Other practices involved in the competition were Avery Associates Architects (UK), Henning Larsen Architects (Denmark), Neutelings Riedijk Architects (Holland), PLP Architecture (UK) and Sergey Skuratov Architects (Russia).

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