The Bagatela Theater reveals his cards, presents the winning design for reconstruction of the building designed by the Kraków studio at the intersection of Krupnicza and Karmelicka streets SAO architecture. The “substantial” revolution was discussed at a press conference on November 28 this year. How will the construction of Krakow's iconic theater change? When will the reconstruction begin?
The work of which he is the author SAO Architects studio from Krakowwon the architectural competition for the Bagatela Theater reconstruction project, the results of which were announced on November 3, 2025. The competition court chaired by Janusz SepiolChief Architect of the City of Krakow, explained the decision to award the first prize as follows:
According to the unanimous opinion of the competition jury, the work best solves the complex competition task. It is particularly characterized by a successful solution for the outdoor area, which exposes the “Skulicz pyrostructures” and maintains the overall character of the existing architecture. (…) What is noteworthy is the limited scope of the demolition and excavation work, as well as the respect for the recent renovation of the basement, which will probably benefit the project's budget. Correct functional solutions, a spacious entrance hall, calm interior design, a pleasant and modest solution of the rooftop cafe (…). However, as this is the largest of the submitted works, the number of seats may be slightly reduced due to further design work, particularly with regard to acoustics. The work is also characterized by the careful examination of technical issues on the stage. (…)
Second place went to the Warsaw studio WXCA; there was no third and honorable mention because, as Janusz Sepiol explained, the other works were of a significantly lower standard. A total of five projects were submitted for the competitionOne of the participating studios was disqualified for formal reasons and three were already eliminated from the competition.
Press conference on the renovation of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow – from left: Agnieszka Duda, Barbara Copyc, Dawid Bereńczuk
Photo: Przemek Ciepka
significant changes
Although, as the chief architect of the city of Krakow, Janusz Sepiol, said during the conference, “shovels are not controlled by anyone,” there will be a major revolution in the Krakow theater. The renovation project for the Bagatela Theater in Krakow envisages an almost Complete interior redesignand thus the functionality of the building at the intersection of Krupnicza, Karmelicka, Podwale and Szewska streets, without increasing the building's footprint.
The biggest changes await the foyer. Today it is a relatively cramped interior with a low ceiling. After reconstruction The foyer of the Bagatela Theater will be a spacious interior with a height of three floorswith galleries open to the center of the room.
Reconstruction project for the Bagatela Theater in Krakow – foyer and stage
Mat. SAO architecture
As Agnieszka Duda from the winning studio said: The Bagatela Theater is set to be opened to residents and representatives of various arts. The renovation includes rooms for openings and musical meetings as well as a sky bar on the roof of the building.
Let's meet in Bagatela, things are changing [to] Let's meet in Bagatela. After its reconstruction, Bagatela returns to the city's stage as a multi-genre open house of arts – a place where heritage becomes the future and architecture plays a pioneering role without dominating its form – allowing it to become the background but also a participant in various artistic events. The proposed concept combines respect for the historical substance with the bold simplicity of contemporary solutions: the transparent ground floor opens the lower foyer like an urban corridor that lures the passer-by inside before deciding to become a spectator of the performance.
– reads one of the panels presented at the conference.
Press conference on the renovation of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow – from left: Janusz Sepiol, Szymon Wojciechowski, Agnieszka Duda
Photo: Przemek Ciepka
The number of seats in the auditorium will also increase. Currently, the Bagatela Theater has 330 seats. the project envisages up to 450although, as Bagatela Theater director Andrzej Wyrobiec pointed out, their number may be somewhat reduced for acoustic and visual reasons. The surplus is achieved by changing the geometry of the auditoriumwhich gets steeper. Backstage areas for employees as well as changing and administration rooms are to be rebuilt and a revolving stage is to be created. The unused space under the stage is being built on and Changing rooms and toilets will be located in the basement.
Reconstruction project for the Bagatela Theater in Krakow – Exterior views
Mat. SAO architecture
What will the Bagatela Theater look like after reconstruction?
The facades of the building on Karmelicka Street will also be changed. Today there are two square windows on the axis of the corner building, highlighted by 10 vertical slats. In the concept presented by SAO Architecture, they are replaced by four vertical glazingswhich will feature stained glass windows. Above this, four vertical openings are pierced in the attic of the building.
In the project, the facade mosaic by Professor Witold Skulicz, which is characteristic of the Bagatela building, becomes the starting point for the entire composition of the facades and the inspiration for the interior design. Created in the 1960s, when architecture and art boldly experimented with shapes and ceramics as a means of modern decoration, it is now an invaluable commentary on the modernist explorations of that period. The concept honors this element in a special way: the mosaics remain the main accents of the facade of Krupnicza and Karmelicka Streets, and at the intersection of the streets we design a stained glass window to illuminate the new foyer. Its coloring emerges from the existing mosaic tones and its simplified, abstract form is a contemporary dialogue with the original. In this way, the past corresponds to the future – the light of the city penetrates into the interior and the foyer returns the favor with a play of light, shadow, color and reflections. Creating an unusual spectacle every day.
– announced the inscription on the plaque presenting the reconstruction project of the Bagatela Theater.
There will also be changes on the ground floor. Where there are now horizontal storefronts, eight vertical glass windows are planned overlooking the theater foyer. The arcade will also be redesigned and given a slightly more dynamic, curved shape. A café with a view of Krakow will be built in the upper part of the building.
Window in the south facade of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow.
Photo: Przemek Ciepka
With or without windows?
One of the topics raised during the press conference concerned the eight window openings currently located on the south and northeast facades of the building. As one of the participants at the event emphasized, the development plan only provides for the possibility of redesigns on the ground and basement floors – the windows mentioned above, however, are located halfway up the facade. The winning work does not provide for any window openings at this point.
Bagatela Theater in Krakow
Photo: Zygmun Put © CC BY-SA 4.0 | Wimedia Commons
As Szymon Wojciechowski, member of the competition jury, explained, the advantage of the solution proposed by the winning studio is much better Uncovering the so-called pyropyctures of Skuliczabstract compositions in the form of facade cladding, designed for the Bagatela Theater by Witold Skulicz in 1967, produced in the “Kamionka” cooperative in Lysa Góra. The concept of the WXCA studio, which took second place in the competition, left the shape of the window openings on the side facades of the Bagatela Theater unchanged.
Press conference on the reconstruction of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow – Andrzej Wyrobiec, director of the Bagatela Theater
Photo: Przemek Ciepka
When will the reconstruction of Bagatela begin?
As Andrzej Wyrobiec, director of the Bagatela Theater, revealed at a press conference, The estimated cost of reconstruction, according to most studios participating in the architectural competition, is about PLN 50 million. The work is preceded by the development of complete design documentation and – if everything goes according to plan – Construction will begin in 2027 and will take approximately two yearsClosing ahead of the theater's 110th anniversary celebrations. Meanwhile, the Bagatela Theater will move to another location, details of which have not yet been released. According to Andrzej Wyrobec's announcement, the move will not have a significant impact on the institution's operations – the number of premieres should remain unchanged.