Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur by Marius Mateika

Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur by Marius Mateika is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award an Gold in Inneraum an Ausstellungsdesign Competition Category.

GoldInterieur· 2025

Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur

by Marius Mateika

Client: Mama architects

A' Design Award an Gold Winner in Interieur Category

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The Design

About Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur

Clay Moulded ass d'Innenarchitektur vun engem Musikstheater zu Klaipeda a Litauen. Leem bedeckt d'Maueren an d'Plafongen, an iwwer 30 Tonne vum Material goufen an Handaarbecht opgedroen. D'Muster vum grousse Sall ass duerchgängeg a leeft vun engem Enn vum Raum bis zum aneren. Fir de Projet gouf e siwestufege Beschichtungsprozess entwéckelt, dorënner Sprëtzen, Musteren, Dréchnen, Schrubben, Glaséieren a Konservéierung. D'Maueren an d'Plafongen kënnen op- an zougoen, fir d'Klangreflexiounen ze steieren, sou datt de Raum sech u Concerten, Theaterstécker a Versammlungen upasst. Den Auditoire bitt Plaz fir 700 Leit.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Gold

Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Gold, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un éischtklassesch, wonnerbar an erausragend Designe vergi gëtt. Gold-Gewënner si ganz innovativ, visionär a blendend glänzend Kreatiounen, déi d'Talent, d'Wäisheet an d'Fäegkeete vun hire Designer reflektéieren. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur eng héich gelueften, trendsetzend a monumental Erfindung ass, déi beispillosen Wäert liwwert. Dëst mam Gold ausgezeechent Design ass e spektakuläert, respektéiert Projet, dat d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie erweidert. Clay Moulded Theater-Innenarchitektur erzeegt intensiv Wënsch, erweckt Leidenschaft, encouragéiert Kreativitéit a faszinéiert eis.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: For the interior décor, we chose an archaic material - clay. It is probably the largest interior in the world made of natural clay. The pattern and technology of the hall is unique and continuous throughout the space, created by one artist Mantas Petravičius. All planes are in motion. They open and close (as you can see in photo 3) depending on the nature of the concert and the acoustics required. And that's what makes this space even more unique.
Dimensions & Packaging: The whole theater is 10 000m2 size. The auditorium has seating capacity of 700 people. We used over 30 tonnes of clay for wall decor.
Tags: Klaipėdos muzikinis teatras, Klaipėda state musical theatre, MAMA architects
Production Technology: We used over 30 tonnes of clay for the walls and ceilings of the entire interior. This work took nine months to complete using unique tools created exclusively for this work and was carried out by the hands. The clay coating process is also unique, developed exclusively for this theatre.The process itself consists of 7 stages (clay spraying, patterning, drying, scrubbing, re-spraying, glazing, conservation). It takes about 3 weeks to complete all the steps. The whole process was implemented on the construction site.
Design Challenge: The decor of the main hall is a continuous pattern starting at one end of the hall and ending at the other. Meanwhile, the process required major interruptions and took 9 months. The hardest part was to bring everything together into a coherent picture. The rest of the public spaces (lobbies, passages, staircases) are also made of clay. Here, the pattern is different, but also handmade.
Research: Clay was used for wall and ceiling decor.
The whole process was done by hand in stages:
1.) First, the clay is sprayed, then swiped with special tools made just for this object to form waves.
2.) Waiting for everything to dry. Then the sharp corners are scrubbed.
3.) Repeat the spraying with a thinner layer. After spraying, the clay shall be brushed to distribute the clay evenly and to form a soft surface.
4.) Wait for everything to dry.
5.) Everything is impregnated and preserved.
Inspiration: The city of Klaipėda, where the theatre is located, is by the sea. We were inspired by the sandy coastline of the sea and the shores shaped by the waves. Klaipėda is an old city dominated by red clay brick buildings. For us, the sea and the clay became the basis for the idea. As this is a theatre, clay seemed to us to be the right material to create a dramatic mood.
Project Duration: The project lasted 5 years. The clay decoration alone took 9 months. The theatre is realized in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
Operation Flow: This theatre has transformable walls and ceilings.
They open up. This controls sound reflections. The space adapts to the event. (Depending on whether it's a concert, a play, an meeting event).
Team Members: Architects: Marius Mateika
Image Credits: Photographer: Leonas Garbačauskas