The Court Theatre, 2024

We are working with The Court Theatre and Christchurch City Council on a new venue in the city’s Performing Arts Precinct, part of the long urban rebuilding process after the terrible earthquake of 2011 . We have led the pubic consultation and concept design and are now collaborating with NZ architects Athfield to complete the design and construction of this keystone cultural building. The threestorey theatre is designed to be a welcoming, democratic and regenerative space, making maximum use of natural materials, ventilation and light. It will house two auditoria; a 365-seat main playhouse, and a 130-seat studio theatre, where children’s and family shows can be held. All aspects of a working theatre, including set-building, costume-making, rehearsals and administration, will be based on site, with plans to make these usually back-stage activities more visible to the public. The team are also working on the design for public space in the Performing Arts Precinct. A series of laneways will draw people to a central courtyard, which will be used for a range of outdoor performances. Our aim is to give the city a new cultural and communal heart. Construction began in 2022 and the theatre is due to open in 2024.

ADDRESS CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND CLIENT CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL & THE COURT THEATRE