Our submission for an open competition addresses a series of complex challenges facing Liverpool’s Playhouse Theatre in upgrading it’s built fabric and user experience.
The existing building comprises a Victorian Playhouse building with a 20th century extension, both facing directly onto Williamson Square.
Following site visits and archival research to understand the building’s context and civic significance, we developed ideas around key strategic moves with the largest impact, and a series of detailed interventions to address each aspect of the brief.
Within the main Grade II* listed theatre, we proposed sensitive upgrades to lighting bridges, technical access, acoustics, thermal performance and stage flexibility as well as improved comfort, sightlines and accessibility for audiences.
Proposed enhancements to the extension building included the entrance foyer, hospitality areas, dressing and green rooms and improvements to accessibility and legibility. Additionally, we planned a holistic consolidation of ventilation servicing across the site.
To enhance the theatre’s urban presence, we developed landscape amendments to direct views into the buildings and allow for outdoor performances.
Our approach to the Liverpool Playhouse was to celebrate the inherent characteristics of the buildings and fully integrate spatial and technological aspects with pragmatism and sensitivity.
The refurbished buildings would support a more diverse programme of events – boosting income - lower maintenance costs and improve experience for passers-by and theatre go-ers.
