London studio Haworth Tompkins has finished its £80 million refurbishment of Brutalist icon the National Theatre, like the addition of an all-new aluminium-clad theatre production facility .
Haworth Tompkins, winner of final year’s Stirling Prize, has invested the last eight many years functioning on an overhaul of the London landmark completed by architect Denys Lasdun in 1976 and extensively deemed to be his most critical function.
The intervention – named NT Future – involved reframing an existing auditorium within a huge education centre, transforming an old services yard into a riverside bar and cafe, upgrading the entrance and foyers, and adding the new production centre.
The firm’s strategy was to construct on the architect’s original concept, creating a series of spaces designed to complement and increase the present building through use of a regarded materials palette and delicate method.
“Denys Lasdun’s National Theatre is one of the wonderful buildings of the 20th century,” stated the staff in a statement.
“We set out to construct on Lasdun’s vision of public openness so as to reveal it to new audiences and a modifying context.”
The production facility, acknowledged as the Max Rayne Centre, is the most prominent of the new additions.
Related story: The Shed at the Nationwide Theatre by Haworth Tompkins
Alternatively of the timber-printed concrete walls that characterise the primary creating, this structure has a facade of vertical aluminium fins and crumpled steel mesh.
“The Max Rayne Centre is made to complement rather than replicate the NT’s masonry language, harmonising with Lasdun’s austere orthogonal forms,” stated the architects.
A area of glazing on one wall offers views into a painting workshop contained inside.
The developing also accommodates a style studio and manufacturing offices, as properly as some departments relocated to make additional space elsewhere in the complex.
The Cottesloe Theatre – the smallest of the Nationwide Theatre’s 3 auditoriums – was renamed as the Dorfman Theatre to acknowledge a donation produced towards its renovation.
Its capacity was elevated, although seating was replaced and stage gear upgraded.
About this, former workshops have been converted into an training centre named the Clore. This will permit the auditorium to be used as a studying space outside of overall performance times.
In the main creating, Haworth Tompkins has enlarged the foyer in a manner the team believes is proper, with dining and shop spaces kept to the side of the principal movement of movement.
The entrance has also been remodelled to boost its connection with the riverside promenade.
The new cafe and bar spaces were created within an spot previously used as a services yard. There is also a new route into the theatre’s refurbished restaurant, allowing it to open outside of theatre hrs.
“The Nationwide Theatre was created to be welcoming, and openness lies at the core of NT Potential,” explained the architects.
“Because Lasdun’s building was finished, the public river walk has been extended, Waterloo has been regenerated, and the South Financial institution has turn out to be a new centre for London. NT Long term embeds the National Theatre at the heart of this transformation.”
As soon as described by Prince Charles as currently being like a nuclear energy station, the Nationwide Theatre is one of London’s best known and most divisive Brutalist buildings.
Huge and city-like in program, it was developed by Lasdun without the support of a team and regardless of the truth he had no experience in theatre planning. It has because been heralded as a single of the last great buildings of the age of public sector architecture.
The initial major renovation of the developing was carried out in the 1990s by fellow London company Stanton Williams.
Haworth Tompkins commenced doing work on the 2nd redesign in 2007, and the 1st noticeable sign of its intervention was a temporary vibrant red auditorium framework that took the location of the Cottesloe in the course of its refit.
“NT Future will keep the Nationwide at the prime of planet theatre,” added Haworth Tompkins. “With the South Financial institution coming to daily life, we hope our adjustments will support a new generation celebrate the extraordinary good quality of its architecture.”
Photography is by Philip Vile.
Undertaking credits:
Architect: Haworth Tompkins
Consumer: The National Theatre
Contractor: Lend Lease, Rise Contracts
Project manager: BuroFour
Theatre consultant: Charcoalblue
Structural engineer: Flint & Neill
Service engineer: Atelier 10
Acoustic engineer: Arup Acoustic Consulting
Landscape architect: Gross.Max
Planting: The Plant Specialists
Store designer: Lumsden Style
Quantity surveyor: AECOM, Bristow Johnson
Fire advisor: LWF Fire Consulting
Entry advisor: All Clear Patterns
Catering consultant: Keith Winton Design and style
Highways advisor: Vectos
Signage consultant: Jake Tilson
Facade advisor: Montrésor Partnership
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