Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

 

Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

We were the structural engineers for Haworth Tompkins Architects’ £13.9m redevelopment of Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, a RIBA Stirling Prize-winning scheme.

The Everyman Theatre is a much loved centre for modern, vibrant theatrical productions. Developed piecemeal since its origins as a chapel in 1834, it was increasingly struggling to meet the needs of its audiences and touring performers. The challenge was to upgrade the front and back of house facilities to modern standards, while preserving the uniquely intimate and engaging atmosphere of the auditorium in a totally rebuilt theatre.

The new auditorium is an adaptable thrust stage, entered from first floor and constructed from the same, reclaimed bricks as the former building. The auditorium can be transformed into a number of different configurations (end on, in the round, traverse etc) using modular staging and flexible seating.

The back of house has been designed with exactly the same care as the public areas, interconnecting offices, rehearsal spaces, workshops, meeting rooms and green room as a single environment for creative working.

The project went on to win other awards, including the Chicago Athenaeum International Architectural Award; CIBS Building Performance Champion; CIBS Project of the Year - Leisure; USITT Architecture Award; Civic Trust Award; The Stage Theatre Building of the Year; LABC Building National Excellence Award; Blueprint Best Public Project Award; WAN Performing Spaces Award and an AIA UK Honourable Mention.

“It imparts an exceptional sense of well-being that runs from the public areas through the auditorium to back of house spaces of unusual quality.” - Rowan Moore, The Observer

Awards:

  • 2016 — Chicago Athenaeum International Architectural Award

  • 2016 — CIBS Building Performance Champion

  • 2016 — CIBS Project of the Year - Leisure

  • 2016 — USITT Architecture Award

  • 2015 — World Interior News Award

  • 2015 — Civic Trust Award

  • 2015 — The Stage Theatre Building of the Year

  • 2014 — RIBA Stirling Prize

  • 2014 — LABC Building National Excellence Award

  • 2014 — Blueprint Best Public Project Award

  • 2014 — WAN Performing Spaces Award

  • 2014 — RIBA National Award

  • 2014 — RIBA North West Building of the Year Award

  • 2014 — RIBA North West Award

  • 2014 — LABC Building Excellence Award

  • 2014 — AIA UK Honourable Mention

Client: Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres
Architects: Haworth Tompkins

Watch: Everyman Theatre: Opening Weekend

Watch: Everyman Theatre: the Finale