Chandeliers in the “aquarium” – unique lighting at the Wybrzeże Theatre in Gdańsk

Location

Gdańsk, Poland

Architect

Warsztat Architektury WAPA

Year

2024

If you visit or walk past Gdansk’s Wybrzeże Theatre at night, you can’t fail to be impressed by the three gigantic, swirling LED chandeliers that grace its entrance area and foyer. These modern yet distinctive, bespoke chandeliers were developed in accordance with the artistic vision of Dr. Eng. Arch. Krzysztof Kozłowski from the WAPA architectural studio and manufactured by the lighting company Glamox. They perfectly complement the striking renovation of the building that was built in the 1960s and is the city’s centre for opera, theatre, and the performing arts.

The modernist building is located at the heart of Gdańsk’s old town and was first opened in 1967. Its distinctive cubist form, flat dome, and large glass surfaces earned the building the nickname of “the aquarium”. A bold renovation carried out between 2015 and 2023 transformed its interiors while preserving the glass façade, allowing the chandeliers to be visible both day and night, serving as an impressive ornament of the building.

In August 2022, we began work on the project in close collaboration with architects from the WAPA Architecture Studio and the company ELSA, responsible for electrical installations. Together with Dr. Eng. Arch. Krzysztof Kozłowski, our design team created the unique, energy-efficient chandeliers, fully committed to bringing the architects’ vision to life. The individual luminaires were manufactured at Glamox’s production facility in Wilkasy.

“The unusual chandelier design uses specially made curved FX FLOW LED luminaires, which were suspended asymmetrically from the ceiling to create the swirl effect. This dynamic form contrasts with the clean, modernist lines of the foyer, but echoes the graceful curves of the grand spiral staircase. Together, they create a harmonious composition, and the chandeliers are connected to a light management system, so that they can be dimmed remotely. Even when viewed from the street, they make quite an impression,” said Sławomir Ciesielski, Senior Project Manager at Glamox.

 


Glamox also provided technical lighting (CYBERIA and COSMO luminaires) for the backstage area and technical rooms, including cloakrooms and the actors’ dressing rooms.