Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Exterior PhotographyNevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 3 of 25Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 4 of 25Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 5 of 25Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - More Images+ 20

Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 6 of 25
© Helene Binet

Text description provided by the architects. The long ironstone building is quite grand for a stable; for a theatre, on the other hand, it is compact and intimate. Designing a festival theatre required a distilled response, focused on the unity of stage and auditorium: there was no scope for a fly-tower, nor for a foyer with a grand stair. Every addition or adjustment within the auditorium had to be judged on its merits, to work in relation to the ironstone walls, and the doors and windows that pepper them.

Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 3 of 25
© Helene Binet

We excavated the stalls and orchestra pit at the centre of the stable yard, at sufficient distance to avoid underpinning, creating a walkway around the edge. A new roof volume was built off the old stonewalls, creating the maximum volume beneath the existing ridge line. Two-thirds of the seats are in the stalls, with a shallow rake and large radius; one-third are in a balcony, set relatively high to maintain the presence of the stone walls, and with a tight radius to focus the performance space; side balconies continue to the proscenium line. The balcony is set at 600 mm off the walls, with voids sculpted out of its soffit responding to the tall doorways.

Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Exterior Photography
© Helene Binet
Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 24 of 25
Plan
Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 5 of 25
© Helene Binet

The material palette of stone, concrete, stained wood and grey textile is restrained. These materials are warmed and brought to life by the daylight from the large central rooflight - as it rakes across the rough stone walls, the light reminds you that this is still a courtyard, even if it is no longer a stable yard.

Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects - Image 4 of 25
© Helene Binet

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Market Harborough LE16 8EG, United Kingdom

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Nevill Holt Opera Theatre / Witherford Watson Mann Architects" 20 Nov 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/928681/nevill-holt-opera-theatre-witherford-watson-mann-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Helene Binet

Nevill Holt 歌剧院 / Witherford Watson Mann Architects

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.