Almeida Theatre

The renovation provides a new atrium roof, main entrance and refreshment facilities using the original structure, strengthened to accommodate greater loads.

The new roof is watertight and largely glazed, while the foyer has underfloor heating. Off the foyer are new toilets and a small scenery workshop/store.

Backstage accommodation has been extended, as well as the building of a completely new foyer, bar and technical areas. New services installations and seating have been created, complete with improved disabled access and acoustics.

A cafe/bar and main entrance have been created on the street in an abstract composition of planes of rendered insulation, zinc and glass. Endstops to the new work echo the massiveness of the square columns of the institute, while their horizontal joints, in slightly undulating pre-weathered zinc sheeting, read with the new long, low lines.

The cafe/bar has one large window on the street whose glazing and mesh security screens can be retracted completely on tracks. The main entrance screen also retracts completely to allow in vehicles.