Project Overview
| Project Type | Rehabilitation of a cultural building |
| Size | 10,000m² |
| Inaugurated | January 2026 |
| Project Timeline | 2017–2026 |
| Client | City of Nanterre |
| Architect | Snøhetta |
| Associate Architect | SRA Architectes |
| Structural Engineer | Khephren Ingénierie |
| Acoustics | Studio DAP |
| Landscaping | Snøhetta with Atelier Silva Landscaping |
| Lighting | Light-Cibles |
| Construction Timeline | June 2021 to December 2025 |
The rehabilitation of the Nanterre-Amandiers National Drama Centre updates a long-standing theatre facility in Nanterre, France. The theatre has been a key cultural institution in the Paris metropolitan area since the 1960s, combining public-facing performance spaces with facilities for artistic production. Over the decades, evolving technical standards, accessibility requirements and contemporary production needs made a comprehensive renovation necessary.
The rehabilitation project was initiated through a competitive dialogue process launched in 2017, with the design team selected in October 2018. Construction began in June 2021 and continued for more than four years, before completion in December 2025. The theatre reopened to the public in December 2025, with official inauguration taking place in January 2026.
The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Nanterre, the Département des Hauts-de-Seine, the French State and the Île-de-France Region.
Site and urban integration
The theatre is located between the urban fabric of Nanterre and the André Malraux departmental park. The project strengthens this relationship through changes to public spaces and access.
On the park side, adjustments to levels and planting improve visibility and access, aligning the open-air theatre with the surrounding landscape.
On the city side, a forecourt connects the building to Avenue Pablo Picasso and Avenue Joliot-Curie, where a future tramway route is planned. The space accommodates pedestrian movement, waiting areas and public activity.
A lower plaza is introduced at the edge of the forecourt. A glazed façade links this area to the building’s lower level, making internal functions such as the restaurant, bookshop and social spaces directly accessible. Multiple entry points distribute visitor movement across the site.
Design and architecture
The project retains the existing structure while reorganising internal spaces and circulation. A redesigned grand hall becomes the main point of connection, linking the upper forecourt and lower plaza and connecting all performance areas.
The hall includes mezzanines and double-height sections, supporting both movement and informal use. It is also equipped to accommodate events and gatherings. Glazed façades bring in natural light and create visual connections between the interior and surrounding public spaces.
The work focuses on improving circulation and accessibility while maintaining the overall form of the building.
Auditorium and performance spaces
The main auditorium is reconfigured to improve capacity, accessibility and technical performance. It accommodates 800 seats with revised spacing and sightlines, with the option to reduce capacity to 600.
Entrances at ground level from both upper and lower plazas improve circulation. The stage is extended, and the proscenium opening is enlarged to support a wider range of productions. Stage equipment is fully renewed, and technical systems including catwalks and control rooms are upgraded.
The project includes two additional performance spaces. A transformable hall with a capacity of 400 seats is retained and upgraded, with mobile seating and motorised platforms allowing different configurations.
A new small auditorium provides 200 seats and includes telescopic seating for smaller-scale productions.
Two rehearsal rooms are also included. These spaces are arranged with dressing rooms and work areas in a compact layout that supports efficient operation.
Landscape and public realm
Landscape works strengthen the relationship between the theatre and the park. Adjustments to topography and planting improve continuity while retaining existing vegetation.
The forecourt and plazas function as public spaces that support both everyday use and theatre-related activity, creating a transition between the building and its urban context.
Building use and technical upgrades
The rehabilitation retains the building’s original function as a theatre while introducing updated spatial organisation and technical systems. The venue continues to support performance, production and public use following its reopening.
The upgrade brings the facility in line with current standards, including improvements to accessibility, safety systems, thermal performance and overall user comfort. Dressing rooms and staff areas are modernised, and public amenities such as the restaurant and bookshop are integrated within the main hall.
Project team and consultants
The project is led by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, with SRA Architectes as associate architect and Kanju responsible for scenography. Structural engineering is undertaken by Khephren Ingénierie.
Envelope and environmental design is delivered by EGIS Concept through Elioth, alongside building services by EGIS. Acoustic design is provided by room acoustics specialist Studio DAP, with cost consultancy by Sletec Ingénierie.
Landscape design is developed by Snøhetta with Atelier Silva Landscaping. Lighting design is managed by Light-Cibles, a lighting engineering and design consultancy based in France, and project coordination is carried out by Omega Alliance.
