National Youth Theatre

1/55An innovative retrofit to safeguard the long-term future of a celebrated cultural institution

The new DSDHA National Youth Theatre entrance pavilion is made of durable green glazed bricks that sit next to the original brickwork in the setting of mature Norway maple trees on Holloway Road.

2/55New entrance pavilion on Holloway Road

3/55Entrance pavilion at night

DSDHA National Youth Theatre entrance - Views in to the reception and new studio enliven the street scene, and make visible the original building facade

4/55Enlivening the street and retaining views to the original facade

5/55Location: Holloway Road, London Borough of Islington

6/55Understanding the organisation's position in London's cultural infrastructure informed the project brief

7/55Related cultural venues across London

8/55Limited exchange before the Spatial Sharing Network was proposed

9/55Spatial Sharing Network showing its exchange with West End Theatres

10/55Exterior: Entrance from Holloway Road

11/55Exterior: New accessible front door on Holloway Road

12/55Exterior: New pavilion frames the cafe of neighbouring buildings

13/55Exterior: Durable green glazed bricks sit sympathetically with the original brickwork and enhance the setting of the trees

14/55Interior: New Workshop Theatre retrofitted into the existing building

15/55Interior: New fully accessible entrance and reception space

16/55Interior: The Green Room being used as an informal social space

17/55Interior: New Workshop Theatre in use for rehearsals

18/55Interior: New Warehouse Studio at First Floor level overlooking Holloway Road

19/55Interior: New open plan workspace on Second Floor

20/55Interior: Interior of N7 Studio looking out onto Holloway Road

21/55Interior: N7 Studio can be viewed from the new Creative Hub

22/55Interior: New Warehouse Studio provides flexible rehearsal space

23/55Interior: Entrance to new Workshop Theatre

24/55Interior: New reception space entrance

25/55Interior: New Reception space and Creative Hub offer informal opportunities for encounters

26/55Interior: Views in and out brighten the streetscape with a civic presence

27/55Interior: New Green Room within the existing warehouse building

28/55Interior: Old and new sit side by side

29/55Interior: New N7 Studio in the street-facing pavilion

30/55Interior: Generous window sill seats in the new N7 Studio

31/55Interior: Expanded circulation increases the opportunity for young people and professionals to meet

32/55

33/55

34/55Drawings: Front elevation

35/55Drawings: Side elevation

36/55Drawings: Cross section

37/55Drawings: Side elevation

38/55Drawings: Cross section

39/55Drawings: Lower ground floor plan

40/55Drawings: Ground floor plan

41/55Drawings: First floor plan

42/55Drawings: Second floor plan

43/55Drawings: A visible and welcoming presence providing an enhanced public realm

44/55Drawings: Exploded axonometric with internal alterations and extensions highlighted in green

45/55Details: Durable green glazed bricks sit sympathetically with the original brickwork

46/55Details: Birch plywood wall and acoustic panelling

47/55Details: New insertions in the existing building, formed predominantly in birch ply

48/55Details: Roof structure of the new pavilion is glulam timber with roof lights for natural daylight

49/55Site: Old entrance

50/55Site: Old entrance on side of building – signposted but inaccessible behind steel gates on an access road

51/55Site: Urban context of Holloway Road provided both a challenge and an opportunity

52/55Site: Old combined performance and rehearsal space before conversion to theatre, studio and green room

53/55Site: Old rehearsal space before conversion to administrative office

54/55Site: Sub-divided office spaces on first floor were limited by unnecessary partitions, intrusive dropped ceilings and poor acoustic separation from dance studio above

55/55Site: Disused doors on Holloway Road