ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - HIGHLY COMMENDED
AWARDS 11

PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL

Architect: Ian Ritchie Architects

Copper Contractor: Locker Wire Weavers/Rubb TM

Main Contractor: Bluestone plc

Client: Plymouth Theatre Royal
Plymouth-big.jpg (19656 bytes) The TR2 building, as it has become known, is designed to support the simultaneous construction and rehearsal of two full-scale drama, opera, music or dance productions.  Different uses generate form, plan and section of the three main building elements: Workshop and Office spine; Assembly and Painting Studio; three separate Rehearsal 'pods' wrapped in woven bronze wire.
The architect judges were impressed by the considered approach to what could easily have become simply a utilitarian building and by the inspired response to the riverside setting.  The architects' comparison of the bronze-clad pods to boxes washed up on the beach is convincing and the potential for materials to change chameleon-like over time in the coastal environment particularly exciting.

Rehearsal river.jpg (9797 bytes)

 

Comments by Ian Ritchie
following the Awards Presentation
Most metal buildings I have experienced have not considered touch - and they have not been designed to be leaned against.  Theatre is about the senses and, with the full support of our client, Plymouth Theatre Royal, we achieved a soft metal rainscreen wrap for the rehearsal buildings.

 

ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATION - WINNER

PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL
mesh.jpg (15919 bytes)

Main Bronze.jpg (14451 bytes)
 

The three rehearsal pods of the Plymouth Theatre Royal TR2 building are encased with a tactile quilted curtain of bronze mesh cladding with continuous glazing below.  This most unusual construction is achieved using 1m wide full-height mesh panels over three layers of geotextile mat, compressed between mesh and supporting wall, to maintain tension and avoid 'flapping', with stainless steel fixings and base gutters.   The mesh, produced by Locker Wire Weavers Ltd, is phosphor bronze, with about 95% copper, on a 'Plain-Dutch' weave of 0.4mm dia. warp wires and 0.3mm dia. weft wires.

With this Award, the judges recognised a brave but considered use of materials to achieve particular architectural aims.  The thoroughness and attention to detail in developing such a tactile cladding system were almost most impressive.