The Lowry
Subscribe now to instantly view this image
Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
The bold entrance canopy suggests the influence of 'maximalists' such as Alsop and Coates
Richard Bryant/Arcaid (website) Download Original
Situated by the waterside of the Manchester shipping canal the Lowry is a £105 million Millenium funded, landmark theatre and arts centre
The 23,350 m2 building, dedicated to housing the art works of L.S. Lowry and various performance and exhibition spaces, is located by the waterside in the redeveloped area of Salford Quays in Greater Manchester.
The architect's ambition was to create a new focal point within the community to encourage people to experience the visual and performing arts. To emphasise this point the architecture is deliberately transparent.
The complex brief includes galleries for touring exhibitions and for the City of Salford's Lowry collection, a Lowry study centre, the 'Artworks' interactive childrens' gallery, a 1,730 seat lyric theatre and 450 seat flexible courtyard theatre, rehearsal rooms and full support facilities, bars, cafes, retail and hospitality suites.
Designed to reflect the surrounding landscapes and flourishing waterways, the building is clad in glass and stainless steel surfaces which contrasts with the highly colourful interior.
Data
- Begun: Apr 1997
- Completed: Apr 2000
- Floor area: 23,350m2
- Sector: Arts and culture
- Total cost: £105M
- Funding: Millenium, Arts and Heritage funding
- Procurement: JCT Management Contract
- Address: The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3A, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Michael Wilford & Partners
- Project architects: Charlie Sutherland, Michael Wilford
- Client: The Lowry Centre Trust
- Theatre consultant: Theatre Projects Consultants
- Museum Consultant: Lord Cultural Resources
- Mechanical engineer: Fulcrum Consulting/ WW
- Project manager: Gleeds Management Services
- Services engineer: Fulcrum Consulting/ WW
- Structural engineer: Fulcrum Consulting/ WW
- Quantity surveyor: Davis Langdon & Everest
- Acoustic engineer: Sandy Brown Associates
- Main contractor: Bovis Construction
Suppliers
- Lyric theatre perforated metal ceiling: Astec Projects
- Stainless steel cladding: Broderick Structures