WGP architects with the New Wolsey Theatre and developer Charterhouse, have completed a striking new cultural destination in the heart of Ipswich. Now a thriving community resource, the development facilitates the New Wolsey Theatres’ fervent drive to be ever more accessible to the diverse communities of Ipswich and offers a barrier-free, vibrant gateway to the town centre.
The much loved New Wolsey Theatre has for many years been surrounded by an urban area in gradual decline. Located within the western extents of the 1960s inner ring road, and sitting atop of the largely hidden underground spiral car park of the same era, the theatre square was once part of a wider site of civic importance with the now demolished Police station and Magistrate courts plus the main Council offices just to the south. Then – as now – the strategic location of the site relative to the city centre meant it was, and remains, a key gateway enroute to the centre of the city, making its need for regeneration all the more pressing.
The theatre square forms the first phase of a larger 60,000 m² redevelopment, to include shops, flats and leisure facilities. The New Wolsey was not involved in the early feasibility designs however it was clear that the viability of the wider scheme would be judged by the success of the initial phase, and finding the appropriate stakeholder to take on the building was essential.
WGP were quick to identify the potency of a joint venture with the theatre and soon proposals were developed between the developer-led team, theatre and local authority for a scheme that had the potential to be mutually beneficial to all parties, instigate lasting positive change and further the activities and influence of this important local institution.
The aesthetic direction of the building was shaped by an end user who would thrive with a distinctive building and an external amenity space they could utilise to utmost effect. The new building, named NW2, needed to be simple, legible and economic but it also needed to capture some drama in order to re-claim the space and assert a new chapter for the theatre. Robust materials and bold finishes are used, a nod to theatreland itself, with a black rubber skin wrapping the building and a carefully engineered and distinctive cantilevering gold canopy; the theatre curtain floating on top.
Adaptive-reuse was a recurring design theme in addition to more typical sustainable technologies. Accordingly, the form and repetition of the bays of the new building coincide with the structural bays of the car park beneath, negating the need for complex structural adaptations to the original subterranean building, with the new buildings’ weight spread over the original surface of the car park.
Highly insulated, panellised timber superstructure made assembly fast and efficient. The steel projecting canopy to the front of the building was also designed for maximum material efficiency with engineers Price and Myers using the circular geometry to design-out anything other than the 5mm folded steel plate to support the cantilever. The building also straddles the original concrete planters and former subterranean lavatories, the latter now refurbished as an IT-suite tucked at the rear of the building. Inclusivity was key with designs benefitting from the advice of a specialist Accessibility Consultant at the outset who helped in the correct planning and arrangement of the Changing Places toilet with assistive technologies, the cafe kitchen and all access routes in and out of the building.
Arts and culture comes alive in the outdoors with the newly created Theatre Square, which re-appropriates as a performance stage the long defunct bowl that was formerly the water feature on top of the car park, now encircled by playful ‘gold eyelashes’ of polished stainless steel. Additional external lighting was mounted to a retained granite air vent from the underground car park, to complete the functioning performance area.
WGP later assisted the theatre with the refurbishment of their existing theatre lobby and waiting area. This included the enhancement of the theatre curtilage with the design and installation of an additional balcony terrace overlooking the new theatre square and new tensile canopy. The latter has proven valuable on many levels: Theatre activities were hard-hit by the pandemic and the ability to shelter people watching external performances added to the covid-secure usability that the new theatre squared afforded.
Phil Waind, director with WGP said:
An entire wedge of central Ipswich has been given a new lease of life. Theatre Square has evolved into an inspiring and inclusive hub for the community. We hope that it can express the magic and excitement of NW2 arts & activities, which have been sorely missed over the last few years.
Sarah Holmes, chief executive for the New Wolsey Theatre commented:
Having NW2 as a dedicated community space on site has been life-changing for our work with the community. Now, our community work is no longer being tucked away in spaces around the town but now right in the heart of our campus in a brand new fit-for-purpose space. The transformation of Theatre Square not only lifts the profile of the theatre but also opens up extraordinary opportunities and potential for us to diversify our programming including outdoor performances. This is especially fortunate with the ever changing landscape of theatre as it provides us with a much larger degree of flexibility.