A multifaceted space for theatre-making and a warm, inclusive space for the community of Coventry to gather.

Based on the research on Coventry’s rich culture and diversity, the proposal is a small-scale theatre with 250 seats that aims to attract a range of ages and interests. The goal is to provide a platform for a diverse range of artistic expressions. The theatre is designed for an intimate arrangement, converting the existing building from being used for fitness purposes by PureGym to arts and culture use. The project is focused on the youth of Coventry and aims to act as a canvas for their creativity.

It empowers communities and individuals to celebrate and share their heritage. The project will also help achieve Coventry’s 2017-27 cultural strategy which aims to help Coventry become a culturally attractive city. The design of the theatre focuses on creating a foyer that acts as an ‘extension of the street’ and ‘a living room for the community’.
This was achieved by extending the pavement from the outside of the building to the ground-floor foyer.

Incorporating large windows in the foyer, particularly within the café area adjacent to the entrance, enables abundant sunlight to fill the space, creating an airy ambiance within the space. This design choice seamlessly extends the activities from outside to inside, effectively blurring the boundaries between both areas. This design choice not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also offers picturesque views of the surrounding environment. The existing hexagonal structure had an overhang and stairs located in the east part of that structure which had been demolished.

This demolition aims to further expose and enhance the visibility of the hexagonal structure, highlighting and celebrating its unique geometry. Most of the existing structure of the building had been kept and only the structure of the hexagon has been changed to better accommodate the theatre. The existing façade has also been kept and Viroc boards have been installed on top of the existing material.