Oak and Clay in a Prestigious Golden A' Design Award–Winning Theatre

Oak stairs in Latte colour were used in the exceptional Clay Moulded Musical Theatre project in Klaipeda, Lithuania - a cultural landmark that has received the 2025 Golden A' Design Award for Interior Space and Exhibition Design. This highly prestigious award is granted only to outstanding, first-rate architectural achievements and places the project among the world’s most remarkable theatre interior designs.

Interior design: Marius Mateika and co-authors Indre Ankudaviciene and Audrone Pakalniskyte
Clay structure handcrafted by artist Mantas Petravicius
Photography: Leonas Garbacauskas

A Unique Theatre Interior Shaped by Nature

Clay Moulded Musical Theatre is considered the largest interior space in the world created using natural clay. The interior design concept draws inspiration from Klaipeda’s seaside location, where sandy coastlines, rolling waves, and red clay brick architecture define the city’s identity. Natural clay and oak were selected as the core materials to create a dramatic yet natural atmosphere perfectly suited to a modern musical theatre interior.

Every surface within the hall is dynamic - opening and closing to adapt to acoustics and performance requirements. The entire clay structure was handcrafted, making the space continuous, fluid, and sculptural. The project lasted 5 years. The clay decoration alone took 9 months. Over 30 tonnes of clay were used for wall decor.

Oak Stairs in Latte Colour

Within the main hall, known as “The Sea”, the oak staircase steps finished in Latte colour were selected to complement the wave-like interior surfaces and coastal inspiration. The oak stairs act as an important architectural element, supporting both the functionality and visual flow of the space.

The gently textured Latte finish, blending seamlessly with the clay surfaces and sand-inspired textures, reflects coastal hues and natural tones, reinforcing the theatre’s strong connection to the sea and the surrounding landscape.

A Large-Scale, Award-Winning Cultural Project

The Clay Moulded Musical Theatre is a major architectural and interior design achievement:

• Project duration: 5 years
• Total building area: 10,000 m²
• Auditorium capacity: 700 seats

This long-term, carefully executed project demonstrates how natural interior materials can define the character, durability, and identity of large public and cultural spaces.