Schouwburg Ogterop

A Theater Transformed into a Vibrant Cultural House

Ogterop is being transformed into a lively and inviting cultural house. The new architecture breaks with the current closed-off appearance. The design opens the building to the city from all directions. On the Zuideinde, a vibrant forecourt with seating and greenery will be created, while the facade on the Prinses Marijkestraat will feature intensive vegetation to enrich the pedestrian route from the parking area. Large openings at ground level will provide views into the workshop, foyer, and entrance, presenting the theater as an inviting public building.
The rounded, circular contour plates of the transparent facade subtly reference a stage curtain and the dynamic play of seeing and being seen. For the first time, the monumental Bonbonnière Hall will be visible from the street at eye level. This iconic Viennese-style hall from 1886—the oldest and, according to many, the most beautiful theater hall in Drenthe—will be preserved and carefully optimized.
Alongside it, a modern multifunctional black box theater will be realized. In the future, both halls will be programmed in parallel, and the foyers can be connected to form one large city foyer, which will include several rentable meeting and event spaces. The adjacent 19th-century house (Zuideinde 68) will be renovated and house the main bar, which will be openly connected to the city foyer.

A Model Project for Circular and Healthy Building

The renewal of Ogterop is not only a distinctive cultural building but is also explicitly positioned as a model project in the field of circular construction, aiming to minimize material-related CO₂ emissions. The historic hall will be preserved, and part of the existing foundation will remain; the rest of the theater will be demolished in a circular manner, as it no longer functions safely or effectively.
Of the released materials, 40 percent—including part of the foundation—will be reused. In addition, donor materials from regional projects and industrial residual flows will be used. A further 40 percent of the new construction will consist of renewable and bio-based materials.
The design also makes maximum use of daylight and natural ventilation, contributing to a healthy indoor climate for visitors, performers, and staff. Thanks to a highly insulated building envelope, smart installations, and a compact volume, the building’s energy consumption will be very low. Together, these measures ensure the design aligns with Paris Proof climate targets.

In Dialogue with the People of Meppel

The design was developed in close consultation with local residents and stakeholders. During several public meetings, citizens and interested parties were able to share their ideas about the design, facades, and green landscaping. This input helped shape a building that is visibly and tangibly in dialogue with the city.

The New Ogterop

The renewed theater will have an open, welcoming character and will serve professional artists, amateur groups, students, associations, cultural partners, and business users alike. It will become a versatile place for connection, expression, and exchange—firmly rooted in society.
With this new theater, the municipality of Meppel is making a conscious choice for a sustainable cultural future for Drenthe and the northern region of Overijssel. A theater not only anchored in the past, but ready for future generations.
The start of harvesting and dismantling the existing building is scheduled for early 2026. The doors will reopen in mid-2028.