Renovation of Wiesbaden State Theater

Decisive changes have been made behind the scenes at the Wiesbaden State Theatre: following extensive refurbishment, the historic building is now equipped with state-of-the-art fire protection technology – invisible to the audience, but vital for theater operations. Between the listed building fabric and the strictest safety requirements, a masterpiece of engineering has been created that secures the stage for the future.

The ornate “Hessian State Theater Wiesbaden” was commissioned by Emperor Wilhelm II, King of Prussia, and built by the Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer in the Neo-Renaissance style between 1892 and 1894. In 1902, a richly decorated foyer in the neo-Rococo style was added to the theater temple, which was initially opened at the end of the 19th century, in order to meet the special imperial demands for representation. Today, the complex building is charmingly situated between the Kurpark, casino, Kurhaus and Wilhelmstraße with its fine stores and has three independent stages: the large house with 1,041 seats, the small house with 328 seats and the studio with 89 seats.
The building was badly damaged in the Second World War and then rebuilt in a simplified form, but has since been extensively renovated, partially reconstructed and repaired according to historical models. In 1978, a large extension for rehearsal rooms, workshops, management and administration was added to the south-east corner of the theater – not historicizing, but in contrast to the old building as a flat-roofed concrete structure with lots of glass and lead cladding, a design by Berlin architect Hardt-Waltherr Hämer.

In addition, continuous investment has been made in the structural fire protection of the cultural monument for several years. The fire compartments that were drawn in the late 1970s had permanently changed the design by Fellner & Helmer. Now the Theaterhaus was to be upgraded again – including the design of the fire doors in the main building. Whereas fire doors made of steel with wired glass had been installed in 1978, new wooden doors were now installed based on existing historical models. Not only did they have to be up to date in terms of functionality and safety, they also had to blend in harmoniously with the richly ornamented theater corridors and the beautiful terrazzo floor.
In accordance with monument protection requirements, vertical handle bars with a brass look were sought, as in the historic doors. The planners found what they were looking for with Hewi and the lever handle set from System 162. In the end, the parties involved in the project obtained individual approval for the new fire doors. The System 162 lever handle set with a height of 450 millimetres is particularly suitable for heavy doors, as it noticeably reduces the effort required to open them and also meets the requirements of DIN 18040 for barrier-free construction.
The refurbishment and modernization of the Wiesbaden State Theatre not only includes fire protection technology, but also comprehensive maintenance of the stage and building services. Ventilation, heating and lighting systems were renewed to ensure energy efficiency and comfort for actors, orchestra and audience alike. Great importance was attached to preserving the historic room proportions and decorative details such as stucco, paintings and parquet floors.
Particularly noteworthy is the close cooperation between the monument protection authorities, architects and fire protection experts, which made it possible to implement the highest safety standards without compromising the charm and authenticity of the theater. The acoustics were also tested and adapted to modern performance conditions so that the quality of the musical and dramatic performances remains at a high level.
The project is an example of how historic cultural sites can be safeguarded for the future: Technology and monument protection go hand in hand here, and the Wiesbaden State Theatre remains a cultural hub for the city that is both historically impressive and meets modern requirements.

Read more: The “Unter den Linden” State Opera House in Berlin is being renovated.