Year I / Semester I
Cultural studies

Glasgow’s best architecture

King’s theatre

A lot of people may ask ‘what is good architecture?’ What is it that makes it superior? Is it the design and aesthetic achievement? Is it the excellent functionality? Is it the adequate response to the surroundings, or maybe the detailing, or the high-quality sound? Is it the reminding of the past and contribution to the future? I believe it’s all those things that make the formula works. But I would add one more special ingredient-the experience that a building gives you. That special feeling you get when you approach it, go trough, or leave it. That experience that will make you want to come back. This is why King’s Theatre is Glasgow’s best architecture. It has all the components as well as the magic of the experience.

The King’s opened doors in 1904 as one of the most brilliant designs of the prolific theatre architect Frank Matcham, and since then, it never stopped serving its purpose. Not only has it blended in with its surroundings, but it’s one of Scotland’s most historic and significant theatres. For the past millennia, the conformation of Glasgow was changing; the streets were reshaped. Architectural standards changed as well as people’s attitude towards them. However, the King’s Theatre remained in its place, serving its original purpose and working its name of Glasgow’s most loved theatre.

The forms of the building are the first thing that grabs people’s attention. The shapes combine different architectural style, creating a feeling of chaos and rhythm at the same time. The decorations and statues are placed all over the building for the passer-by’s to enjoy. While the eye explores this magnetic architectural palette, a person find himself already dragged in front of the entrance. The main door, decorated with gold colours and ornaments enchants people to enter.

The interior reveals as many decorations and magnetic shapes which accompanies the guests to the very main stage. The hall is a gallery of amazing ornaments and statues, arranged in a way they do not distract from what is happening on the stage. The acoustics are perfect. The sound is clear all the way to the very last seat at the hall. There are 2050 seats in the main auditorium. Two thousand to four thousand people a day enter and leave the building. The main stairs are wide enough to carry all the audience. There are twelve doors ready to be opened for the people so they can easily enter or leave. The infrastructure never failed and it’s an absolute success.

There are 13 dressing rooms for the actors, 3 main cabinets that operate and 6 rooms for guests to spend the night in. Once they were occupied by the owners and today they are kept for special visitors. All the workers in the theatre