haworth tompkins renovates and extends london's national theatre

haworth tompkins renovates and extends london’s national theatre
image © philip vile

british architectural studio haworth tompkins has completed the £80 million refurbishment of the national theatre (NT) on london’s south bank. the scheme allows the NT, which opened in 1976, to sustain its position at the forefront of theatre, while regenerating the building to address a radically changed urban context. in addition to refreshed foyers, and reconfigured landscaping, the project also includes new educational facilities and the max rayne centre – a new production building that houses a painting workshop, production offices, and a studio for designers.

the building is designed to complement rather than replicate the existing masonry language
image © philip vile

clad in aluminum fins and crumpled steel mesh, the building is designed to complement rather than replicate the NT’s masonry language, harmonizing with structure’s austere orthogonal forms. its west-facing balconies enable the theatre to address waterloo bridge and upper ground, while a glazed façade to the east opens up the painting workshop to passers-by.

at the north-east corner of the plot, a former service yard has been converted to public use with the creation of a new bar, kitchen, and a relocated café. the additions seek to enliven the river walk, and offer a new welcome experience to visitors arriving from the east.

the extension is clad in aluminum fins and crumpled steel mesh
image © philip vile

‘denys lasdun’s national theatre is one of the great buildings of the twentieth century,’ commented haworth tompkins. ‘we set out to build on lasdun’s vision of public openness so as to reveal it to new audiences and a changing context. ‘NT future’ will keep the national at the top of world theatre. with the south bank coming to life, we hope our changes will help a new generation celebrate the extraordinary quality of its architecture.’

image © philip vile

the scheme also includes refreshed foyers and reconfigured landscaping
image © philip vile

new additions seek to enliven the adjacent river walk
image © philip vile

a former service yard has been transformed into a new bar and café
image © philip vile

image © philip vile

image © philip vile

the design harmonizes with the national theatre’s austere orthogonal forms
image © philip vile

diagram indicating the scale of the £80 million renovation
image © haworth tompkins