Kosovo is Constructing its First Ever Opera House

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has unveiled the design for the Opera and Ballet Theater of Kosovo, located in the capital city of Prishtina. In collaboration with Alb-Architect, this new theater will feature four performance halls and a public plaza, creating a lively gathering space in the city’s heart. As the first opera house in the Republic of Kosovo, it symbolizes the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, representing a fresh Prishtina identity deeply rooted in creativity and a commitment to artistic development.

The theater will be positioned near key landmarks, including the Palace of Youth and Sports, Fadil Vokrri Stadium, and the Public Services Ministry, contributing to the formation of a dynamic cultural corridor. Commissioned by Kosovo’s Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (MKRS), the Opera and Ballet Theater will encompass a 1,200-capacity Concert Hall, a 1,000-capacity Theater Hall, a 300-seat Recital Hall, as well as a Theater Room and an Education and Conference Center, all under one roof.

The theater’s flowing design distinctly marks the locations of entrances and important spaces, inviting guests into a welcoming “public room” accessible from all directions. Inside, the venue creates a harmonious balance of light, materials, and spatial fluidity. A central skylight illuminates the expansive lobby with natural light, providing a warm contrast to the building’s sleek and dynamic exterior. The Concert Hall, with 1,200 seats, the Theater Hall, with 1,000 seats, the Recital Hall, with 300 seats, and the Theater Room are all connected by a central back-of-house corridor, enhancing functionality and accessibility.

‘We are deeply honored to be entrusted with the design of the new home for the performing arts in a country that has gifted the world with an outsized cultural impact in the performing arts. Our design for the Opera & Ballet Theater of Kosovo is designed like an efficient factory for the fabrication of artistic performances. The rational nucleus is wrapped in a continuous canopy, creating an engaging public space open in all directions. The undulating roof creates a flowing and inviting gesture evocative of the Xhubleta, the traditional national dress of Kosovo,’ shares Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director of BIG.

Project info:

Name: Opera and Ballet Theater of Kosovo
Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
Location: Prishtina, Kosovo
Area: 42,395 sqm
Client: Ministry Of Culture, Youth Government Of Kosovo
Partner in charge: Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Klok Pedersen, Andy Young
Project manager, lead designer: Mike Yin
Design team: Ania Agnieszka Podlaszewska, Enija Skeltona, Jasmine Yang, Masa Tatalovic
Collaborators: ALB-Architect, Charcoalblue, bloomimages
Photographer: IMIGO | Bucharest.studio | bloomimages