With the coming of new and modern multiplex cinema theatres, the old Zagreb cinemas in urban blocks of the city centre have gradually started to die out, and the buildings have started to deteriorate. Noticing this, the City of Zagreb has launched a process of converting these areas for alternative cultural purposes. The ex-Apolo Cinema is a typical back-building in a Zagreb Downtown block, with a public court in front of it, providing for a number of great opportunities, but unfortunately neglected, as are most of the Downtown blocks.
Despite the fact it was built in 1890, the building has had good predispositions to be converted into a public space. A new theatre has been formed within the existing premises of the former cinema, and the building has kept its original ground plan.
The project removes the old structure by fitting in the new stage and auditorium with 220 seats inside the existing wall perimeter resulting in reinforcement of the pre-existing spatial qualities.
The project is not restricted to the structure - architectural domain but also creates a complete visual identity, from theatre setting of individual spaces; the panel on the street, the entrance lobby, the coffee bar, to the theatre hall itself ?becoming a new element and active participant of the urban scenography in the context of theatrical scenery on the inside and in the context of the city itself on the outside. The present physical and social importance of the building is interpreted in accordance with the ancient theory of theatre function.