Haworth Tompkins
A practice whose buildings are influenced by the chemistry of individual places and cultural context. Their architecture leans towards an approach, rather than a style.
Nittygritty director Liam Southwood’s first job in architecture after leaving college was with Haworth Tomkins. Liam worked on The Loch Promenade building in the Isle of Man before moving on to the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square. It was a real privilege and pleasure to reconnect with the practice in 2016 as BIM consultants.
About Haworth Tompkins
Founded in 1991 by Graham Haworth and Steve Tompkins this London-based studio has designed many schools, galleries, concert halls, housing, offices, shops and factories in public, private and subsidised sectors. They are especially well-known for their theatre designs. For more, visit Haworth Tomkins.
Awards
2014 RIBA Stirling Prize for Everyman’s Theatre in Liverpool.
Haworth Tompkins has won over 150 design awards in every category.
Major Theatre Projects Include
Project Focus: Everyman Theatre, Liverpool
Haworth Tompkins won the competition to redevelop the Everyman Theatre after its long history of disuse in the ‘90s.
Constructed with reclaimed bricks (25,000) from the earlier building, the new version maintains many of the same dimensions but is distributed much better and includes a pit and fly-over.
Services provided:
Nittygritty BIMgineers® work with and support Haworth Tompkin’s in-house BIM manager as the practice makes the transition from designing in CAD to using Autodesk Revit. Services rendered include:
- “What is BIM?” CPD for all staff
- Strategy workshop with managment to set BIM goals at practice, project and individual levels.
- Template set-up. Translation of graphic standards.
- Specialist support on complex theatre auditorium elements
- Advice and consultancy on appointments, protocols, execution plans and standards.
Outcome and results
Haworth Tompkins now have a number of live Revit projects at RIBA stages 2-4. Following our engagement as BIM consultants, Nittygritty have begun conversations with the practice to assume responsibility for general IT consultancy and support through our team of NGneers®.
Expansion and Community
The purchase of an adjacent site allowed for expanding both the front and back of house. The lobby is exposed from the street and through windows, balconies and shuttered openings creates its own sense of theatre. The public spaces are arranged around half levels, foyers and catering spaces, including a Bistro. It encompasses creatives workspaces, sound studio, Writers’ Room, and many community based amenities.
Community Inclusion – Everyman Facade
In keeping with its name, the upper stories of the west facing façade has a large public work of art featuring 105 Liverpool residents, each as a moveable metal sunshade. The full-size aluminum portraits were water cut, anodized twice in masking fluid, and etched for color variation, texture and reflexivity resulting in a cast appearance. Video on the creation of the Liverpool Everyman Portrait Wall
BREEAM Excellent Rating
The theatre is designed so all main performance and workspaces are naturally ventilated, with a low energy technical infrastructure, low energy LED fittings, and thermally massive construction using reclaimed bricks. During demolition over 90% demolition waste was recycled. 89% of construction waste was also recycled. (additional details on this case study)
(For more on this theatre, check out this great article by Ellis Woodman, The Telegraph)
Sources:
Woodman, Ellis, 2014, RIBA Stirling Prize: Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins will be admired for years to come, The Telegraph, (online)
Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/architecture/11167376/riba-stirling-prize-everyman-theatre-haworth-tompkins-shard.html (Accessed Dec. 15. 2016)