Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Stratford-upon-Avon
2005 - 2010

The transformation of the Grade II* listed home of Shakespearean theatre was completed in November 2010. Won through international competition, this prestigious project involves construction of a new ‘thrust stage’ main auditorium and remodelling of public and back-of-house spaces whilst retaining the art deco interiors of the existing foyers. Its public spaces are accessible and welcoming, and its relationship with the town of Stratford-upon-Avon has been reinvigorated by the creation of the tower, new external spaces and routes.

The design has sensitively incorporated the most significant remains of the earlier theatres which stood on the site and retained their character.

On the urban side of the building, a glazed colonnade allows the two theatres to be connected for the first time and a lift/stair tower forms a 33m high viewing gallery. Together with the existing picture gallery, the tower and the colonnade define a new public square that acts as a gathering point and a venue for external performance.

The project also provides multi-purpose workshop/admin space within the existing Royal Shakespeare Company campus. A sequence of routes and vistas will eventually connect the new square to the heart of the campus and New Place Gardens beyond. The creation of squares, routes, public spaces and a new landmark means that this is as much about the public realm as it is about a new auditorium for the performance of Shakespeare.

“A pair of Shakespearean theatres linked together with a weave of empathetic new architecture, creating a convincing and effective whole.”

Jonathan Glancey
The Guardian

 

Technique


Project Information

  • Client
  • The Royal Shakespeare Company
  • Area
  • 13,000 m²
  • Heritage Consultant
  • Alan Baxter & Associates
  • Access Consultant
  • David Bonnett Associates
  • Construction Manager
  • Mace
  • Architects
  • Bennetts Associates
  • Theatre Consultant
  • Charcoalblue
  • Acoustic Consultant
  • Acoustic Dimension
  • Project Manager and Strategic Planning Advisor
  • Drivers Jonas Deloitte
  • Structural, Services and Fire Engineer
  • Buro Happold
  • Landscape Architect
  • Nicholas Pearson Associates
  • Cost Consultant
  • Gardiner & Theobald

Awards

  • 2012
  • USITT Architecture Awards – Architecture Honor Award
  • 2012
  • Civic Trust Awards – Winner
  • 2011
  • Constructing Excellence Awards – Regional winner
  • 2011
  • FX International Design Awards – Winner, 'Leisure or Entertainment Venue' category
  • 2011
  • Ground Engineering Awards – Highly Commended, Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental UK Project over £1M
  • 2011
  • Enjoy England Awards for Excellence – Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award
  • 2011
  • AJ 3R (Refurb, Rethink, Retrofit) Awards – Cultural Buildings Award
  • 2011
  • BCI Awards – Major Building Project of the Year
  • 2011
  • Building Awards – Project of the Year
  • 2011
  • RIBA Award – RIBA Client of the Year Award
  • 2011
  • RIBA Award – RIBA Award
  • 2011
  • RIBA Stirling Prize – Shortlisted