The Bagatela Theater is revealing its cards, presenting the winning design for the reconstruction of the building at the intersection of Krupnicza and Karmelicka Streets, which was created by the Cracow studio SAO Architecture. The "substantial" revolution was discussed at a press conference held on November 28 this year. How will the building of Krakow's iconic theater change and when will the reconstruction begin?
The work, whose author is the SAO Architects studio from Krakow, won the architectural competition for the Bagatela Theater reconstruction project, the results of which were announced on November 3, 2025. The competition court, working under the chairmanship of Janusz Sepiol, Chief Architect of the City of Krakow, justified the decision to award the first prize in this way:
In the unanimous opinion of the Competition Jury, the work best solves the complex competition task. In particular, it is distinguished by a successful solution of the exterior, exposing the "Skulicz pyro structures" and maintaining the general character of the existing architecture. (...) Noteworthy is the limited scope of demolition and dredging, as well as respect for the recently carried out renovation of the basement, which will probably benefit the budget of the project. Correct functional solutions, a spacious entrance hall, calm interior architecture, a pleasant and modest solution of the cafe on the roof (...). However, the largest among the submitted works, the number of seats may be slightly reduced as a result of further design work, especially concerning acoustics. The work also stands out for its careful study of stage technology issues. (...)
Second place was awarded to the Warsaw studio WXCA, and there were no third and honorable mentions, because, as Janusz Sepiol explained, the other works were characterized by a clearly lower level. A total of five projects were submitted for the competition, one of the studios wishing to participate was disqualified for formal reasons, and three resigned already during the competition procedure.
Press conference on the redevelopment of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow - from left: Agnieszka Duda, Barbara Kopiec, Dawid Bereńczuk
photo: Przemek Ciępka
substantial changes
Although, as the Chief Architect of the City of Cracow Janusz Sepiol said during the conference, "shovels will not be driven by anyone," there will be a major revolution in the Cracow theater. The redevelopment project for the Bagatela Theater in Krakow envisages an almost complete reorganization of the interior, and 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, overwhelmed by a low-slung ceiling. After reconstruction, the foyer at the Bagatela Theater will be a spacious interior three stories high, with 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 of the winning studio said, the Bagatela Theater is to become open to residents and representatives of various arts. The reconstruction will include spaces for vernissages and musical meetings, as well as a sky bar on top of the building.
Let's meet at Bagatela is changing [to] let's meet at Bagatela. Bagatela, after its reconstruction, returns to the city's stage as an open, multi-genre house of the arts - a place where heritage becomes the future, and architecture leads without dominating its form - so it can become a backdrop 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 first floor opens up the lower foyer like an urban walkway, which draws the passerby inside before he decides he wants to become a spectator of the performance.
- reads one of the boards presented at the conference.
Press conference on the redevelopment of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow - from left: Janusz Sepiol, Szymon Wojciechowski, Agnieszka Duda
photo: Przemek Ciępka
The number of seats in the auditorium will also increase. Currently, the Bagatela Theater has 330 seats, the project envisages as many as 450, although, as Bagatela Theater director Andrzej Wyrobiec pointed out, their number may eventually be reduced slightly for acoustic and viewing reasons. The surplus will be achieved by changing the geometry of the auditorium, which will become steeper. Backstage facilities for employees are to be rebuilt, along with dressing rooms and administrative rooms, and a revolving stage will be created. The unused space under the stage will be developed, and changing rooms and toilets will be located in the underground storey.
Reconstruction project for the Bagatela Theater in Krakow - exterior elevations
mat. SAO Architecture
What will the Bagatela Theater look like after reconstruction?
The elevations of the building on Karmelicka Street will also be transformed. Today, on the axis of the corner building there are two square windows surrounded, highlighted by 10 vertical slats. In the concept presented by SAO Architecture, they will be replaced by four vertical glazings, which will feature stained glass windows. Above them, four vertical openings will be pierced in the building's attic.
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 form and ceramics as a vehicle for modern decoration - it is today a priceless commentary on the modernist explorations of the time. The concept honors this element in a special way: the mosaics remain the main accents of the façade from Krupnicza and Karmelicka Streets, and at the junction of the streets we design a stained glass window to illuminate the new foyer. Its color scheme grows out of the existing mosaic tones, and its simplified, abstract form is a contemporary dialogue with the original. In this way, the past corresponds with the future - the light of the city penetrates inside, and the foyer returns the favor with a play of light, shadow, color and reflections. Creating an unusual spectacle every day.
- proclaimed the inscription on the board presenting the Bagatela Theater reconstruction project.
Changes will also take place in the ground floor. Where today there are horizontal storefronts, eight vertical glass windows overlooking the theater's foyer are planned. The arcade will also be transformed, receiving a slightly more dynamic, curved shape. The top of the building, in turn, will house a café with a view of Krakow.
Windows in the southern façade of the Bagatela Theater in Krakow.
photo: Przemek Ciępka
With or without windows?
One of the issues raised during the press conference was the matter of the eight window openings currently on the building's southern and northeastern elevations. As one of the event's participants pointed out, the Local Development Plan specifies the possibility of transformations only at the ground and basement levels - the aforementioned windows, on the other hand, are located halfway up the elevation. The winning work does not provide for window openings in this location.
Bagatela Theater in Cracow
Photo: Zygmunt Put © CC BY-SA 4.0 | Wikimedia Commons
As explained by Szymon Wojciechowski, a member of the Competition Jury, the advantage of the solution proposed by the winning studio is the much better exposure of Skulicz's so-called pyropyctures, abstract compositions in the form of facade coverings designed for the Bagatela Theater by Witold Skulicz in 1967, and made at the "Kamionka" cooperative in Lysa Góra. The concept created by the WXCA studio, which won second place in the competition, left the shape of the window openings on the side elevations 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 Ciępka
When will the reconstruction of Bagatela start?
As Andrzej Wyrobiec, director of the Bagatela Theater, revealed at a press conference, the estimated cost of the reconstruction, indicated by most of the studios participating in the architectural competition, oscillates around PLN 50 million. The work will be preceded by the development of full design documentation, and - if all goes according to plan - construction will start in 2027 and will last about two years, closing before the theater's 110th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, the Bagatela Theater will move to another location, the details of which have not yet been made public. According to Andrzej Wyrobec's announcement, the move will not significantly affect the operation of the institution - the number of premieres is expected to remain unchanged.
