Theatres are often operated in a binary way, spending most of the day lying dormant. The aim of PLAY HOUSE is to create an eyecatching space thats uses cater to the time of day, maximising the space’s usage.
The overarching concept for the masterplan is to use domestic language to make the square a more familiar and inviting place. The definition for domestic space is as follows:
Domestic Space (Abstract) -
“Domestic space in the singular has become a generic term for the private space of the house, the household, or the home as opposed to the public space of the street or the urban space of the city as a whole.”
The last point in the definition is one to challenge, with the aim of creating “domestic space” within the urban space of the city
Working for Liverpool City Council and the Everyman Playhouse, the design team was briefed with creating a temporary theatre space that would stand in use on Williamson Square during the 8 years of rennovations on the original Playhouse. This would include a new landscaping strategy aiming to revitalise the highstreet in the area.
The concept underlined in this presentation aims to include the full renovation of the original theatre’s box office, (1866) to be used in tandem with the new structure.
What is show at PLAY HOUSE?
To distinguish from the various other theatre options in the area, the aim is to show upcoming and “fringe” theatre acts from the local area, and give opportunity for more experimental performances. Inspired by Roundabout (see page 10) the space will challenge the norm shown through theatre in the round.
The site is Williamson Square, located in Liverpool City Centre. It was initially laid out as a residential square in the 1745 by Mr Williamson.
Focus Point Pedestrian Movement Empty Buildings Social Bars Links to surroundings
Empty Centre Noisy Area
Standard Retail Potential access need
The area features several circular landmarks, so the design aims to continue this language.
The square has several units taken up by highstreet chains. To revitalise the highstreet and provide more interest to the area, the wider vision aims to use these spaces for community space and provide a more alternative indoor market.
The original section of the Playhouse, formerly known as the Star Concert Hall, has an out of use box office, as well as space for storage and back of house. By renovating this space whilst the temporary space is constructed it can be reused by visitors and staff.
At present, the space acts as a key junction between retail areas and infrastructure in the area. This is a key factor to take into account when designing as the paths people take shouldn’t be too impeded.
By using varying floor finsihes and landscaping, the aim is to create new streets around the square, with different uses ranging between leisure, retail and performance.
As identified in the previous site analysis, the square has an obvious centre that is often avoided due to the square’s vastness. By breakign it up into “urban rooms” the space becomes more attractive and enticing to wall through.
Williamson Square, initially conceptualised by Mr Williamson in 1745 was originally planned as a residential square. The Playhouse opened in 1866 as the Star Concert Hall, then made into a theatre in 1911. The project aims to reuse the original box office (left) and introduce domestic language into the landscaping, as a subtle nodback to its original planned uses.
The roundabout theatre is a tourable “flat-pack” theatre, which can be moved around on the back of a lorry and constructed in only a day. Play House aims to be a more permanent adaptation, whilst still having the option to move to a new loaction once the original theatre is renovated.
Exposes structure in a way that makes the user feel as if they are part of the back of house, similar to that of a standard football stadium. The theatre’s seating will be stepped, exposed beneath the stage space, and will be visible from the bar/cafe
Temporary theatre space used during the redevelopment of the Cottesloe Theatre. Timber framed with the use of polycarbonate. The conncetion to the old theatre and its symbiotic relationship is something Play House aims to replicate whilst the rennovations take place. The bright red of The Shed is also an inspiration, a bold device that draws attention to the space.
Community Hub in Bilbao. Roundabout landscaping uses greenery and floor finishes to convey a sense of domestic space in an urban landscape. The seperation of “rooms” using floor finished, hedging and seating is a strong device that can be implemented into the Play House masterplan and encourage varying movements throughout the square.
Option 1: Single storey, linked space with round theatre
Option 2: Raised perfomance space with perimeter seating and link
Option 3: Preferred Option
Raised, circular perfomance space
Use the original playhouse facade to position the temporary extension.
Create a cylindrical mass to create a round theatre space.
Extend the mass upon a radial columnade to create a permeable space beneath.
Create a link between the perfomance space and original playhouse
Revert original box office back to box office
Create a focal point as well as housing circulation (Lift core and stairs)
Create openings, add landscaping and design key elements
Main entrance
Circular Bar/Cafe
Bar/Cafe seating
Main stage entrance
Back Stairs
Side entrance
Link to orignal box office
Access to original Playhouse
Original box office (converted back)
Viewing window into rennovations
Option 1:
A single material unifying all the spaces
Option 2: Circular theatre space a different material to the tower and link
All three spaces conveyed in different materials, with muted tones used against the Playhouse
Joists hold panels together and connect to the repeating column structure via steel connections
Rigid insulation sits between two plywood boards
The outer plywood panel is finished with a damp-proof membrane, windproof sheet, then finished with stained larch louvers
Flitch plates sprayed red join columns to beams. A cap on top of the column completes the elements construction
A knife plate sits at the base of the column which is sat on the circular wooden base before being decked over, the columns base flush with the larch decking
16 repeating elements of 300x300mm GLULAM columns form the radial structure of the theatre, and a panel system allows for varying levels of permeable facade to be installed where needed
Use the original playhouse facade to position the temporary extension.
Create a cylindrical m round theatre space.
Extend the mass upon a radial columnade to create a permeable space beneath.
The rackable structure acts as a drainage system, with the water chanelled down the columns and onto the ground
Triple glazed panels and rigid insulation between envelope panels provide the best thermal performance for the space
Natural ventilation is achieved using large vents inside the roof of the tower, operating similar to the chimneys on the Everyman Hope Street
Using the original box office is a sustainable way of reusing existing space, and the rennovation will improve its environmental performance
The majority of the structure uses European larch, which is fast growing and can be sustainably sorced in the UK. The glue used for the GLULAM is 100% safe for humans and the environment
Cross ventilation occurs through the link, as air flows through the gap between the temporary structure and the original Playhouse
