The Wola Gasworks company started production of natural gas derived from coal in 1888 and supplied all of Warsaw.
First there was one, later up to three gas holders. Since the production stopped in the late 70s, two of the gas holders survived.
Both towers - measuring around 60m in diameter - remain abandoned and unused.
The brick shells are in a critical, yet restorable condition.
As the gas-storing metal containers were removed, the interior became a massive, colloseum-like space gaining incredible value as a courtyard in this proposal.
To prevent further damage through leaking, the roof decking of the higher tower was replaced recently. Whereas, the other non-repaired decking shall be removed and - to allow for lighting - replaced by a glass construction.
For the proposal the design of the theatre is split into the two gas holders: The front of house and the required facilities went into the first gas holder, whereas the heart of the playhouse - stage + auditorium (specifically: the kinetic apparatus) - fit into the other tower.
To retain as much of the structures as possible, I decided to keep the interior appearance of one and the exterior appearance of the other tower. Furthermore, one gas holder is wrapped and the interior circle is used as the foyer with all necessary functions in the surrounding belt. While the entire interior of the other tower serves as volume for stage and auditorium.