Split Scene is a cultural and participatory stage project located in Sahabiye, developed as a response to the city’s fragmented social and cultural landscape. The project explores how architecture can act as a catalyst for interaction, expression, and collective memory by creating a space where different groups of people can come together through art, performance, and public engagement.
The design is based on the idea of a “split” condition, both physically and socially. Rather than creating a single monumental building, the project is organized as a series of interconnected volumes that define a central public space. This spatial arrangement allows the building to function not only as a performance venue but also as an accessible urban platform that remains active throughout the day. The gaps and transitions between the masses become places for encounter, circulation, and informal gathering, strengthening the relationship between architecture and public life.
A key architectural element of the project is the faceted façade facing the public plaza. Inspired by the dynamic nature of theatrical performance, this surface creates a constantly changing visual experience through light, shadow, and movement. The façade serves as both an architectural identity and a symbolic representation of the diversity of voices and perspectives that the project aims to accommodate.
Programmatically, the building combines performance spaces, rehearsal areas, workshops, exhibition zones, and communal gathering spaces. This mix of functions encourages participation from a wide range of users, including artists, residents, students, and visitors. The project therefore extends beyond the traditional role of a theater and becomes a cultural infrastructure for the city.
Ultimately, Split Scene seeks to transform architecture into a medium for dialogue and inclusion. By merging cultural production with everyday urban life, the project creates a flexible and welcoming environment that supports creativity, social interaction, and the continuous evolution of Sahabiye’s cultural identity.
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