haworth tompkins restores historic chichester festival theatre

haworth tompkins restores historic chichester festival theatre
photo by philip vile

haworth tompkins has completed the restoration of ‘chichester festival theatre‘, a modernist concrete structure which originally opened in 1962. the project involves the extensive renewal of the existing building, which now incorporates a carefully remodeled auditorium, larger foyers and a new back of house extension.

conceived as a ‘pavilion in the park’ by british architects powell and moya, the design originally featured two toilets, a small restaurant and no heating. since the 1970s the design’s architectural integrity was compromised by a series of questionable extensions and alterations that reduced the legibility of the concept.

the project involves the renewal of the existing building, which now incorporates a carefully remodeled auditorium
photo by philip vile

haworth tompkins’ solution restores clarity to the design: removing all of the non-original structures and rebuilding the back of house facilities with a dramatic corten steel extension. much needed repairs to the 1960s concrete have been another important element of the work. at the front of the theatre, the stair enclosures have been opened up – flooding the ground floor foyer with natural daylight – while two installed passenger lifts provide full access throughout the building for the first time.

the back of house facilities have been rebuilt with a corten steel extension
photo by philip vile

to complement the hexagonal geometries of the existing structure, visual artist antoni malinowski has hand painted the café’s ceilings and walls. working alongside charcoalblue, the site’s auditorium has been significantly remodeled to improve sightlines, with previously redundant side galleries reinstated and seating rakes steepened and reconfigured to strengthen the connection between performers and the audience.

much needed repairs to the 1960s concrete have been another important element of the work
photo by philip vile

as part of the refurbishment works, all existing heating, cooling and ventilation services throughout the building have been replaced with high performance systems. a ground source heat pump is used to heat the building during winter months and cool the building during warmer seasons. in addition, existing glass has been replaced with high performance double-glazing and the auditorium roof has been thermally upgraded.

stair enclosures have been opened up, flooding the ground floor foyer with natural daylight
photos by philip vile

‘powell and moya’s theatre is a much loved chichester institution, a hugely successful national producing theatre, a modernist architectural treasure, a milestone in the development of the contemporary auditorium and the birthplace of the national theatre company.

‘in conceiving this latest incarnation we have been careful to honor that extraordinary legacy, conserving the things that define its unique personality but improving the things that no longer worked. I hope our renovation will help both to safeguard the theatrical future and reframe the architectural boldness of this important, brilliant building’, explained steve tompkins director at haworth tompkins.

a café at the theatre’s lower level
photo by philip vile