The Old Vic, 2024

The Old Vic Annex is a new build six-storey extension to the rear of the famous Grade II* listed theatre in London’s Waterloo. The new building is designed to be a welcoming destination for the local community as well as a much-needed expansion of the theatre’s working and engagement spaces. The new accommodation will include a sunny, double height street café, a Clore Learning Centre for education and participation activities, a script library, a rooftop event space and a new green room. The works will also involve remodelling of the existing back of house spaces to achieve a fully accessible stage door, improved dressing rooms and staff offices and the refurbishment of the existing rehearsal room to include a studio theatre space. This will all support The Old Vic’s social mission as an accessible theatre for staff, artists, audience, students, and the wider local community. The principles of sustainability and regenerative design have informed the intelligent re-use of the existing building and the design of an exemplar low-carbon extension, incorporating a timber frame, natural ventilation and solar shading formed of repurposed theatre lighting components. The overall site works began in June 2022 with completion programmed for Spring 2024.