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Join the Society for another exclusive tour as we look at DSDHA’s recent retrofit of the National Youth Theatre in Islington with Founding Director David Hills, and Senior Architect, Anne Wynne.
Completed in Summer 2021, DSDHA’s theatrical retrofit has transformed this previously unloved building, allowing the NYT to extend its accessible opportunities, both onstage and backstage, to young people from all corners of the UK.
Central to the design was the introduction of a new pavilion for the building’s main entrance, which houses a new accessible reception area, members’ hub and community studio space. By extending across the existing building’s forecourt, the pavilion not only provides a welcoming new entrance, it opens up civic engagement with the street and the broader community.
By relocating staff offices and making structural alterations to existing workshops, new naturally lit, flexible performance spaces have been created. In addition, the amount of professional studio space has been vastly increased, providing much-needed high quality rehearsal space close to central London and contributing to the NYT charity’s finances.
As well as being an appealing landmark, the project maximises public benefit by tapping into the NYT’s local, national, and international networks to help the organisation promote future partnerships – connecting the world of learning with the world of work, and culture with community, embedding it further within London’s good growth.
The project is the recipient of funding by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, match-funded by the Kirby Laing Foundation. Additional funding from Arts Council England, London Marathon Charitable Trust, the Christina Smith Foundation, and the City Bridge Trust.
Photo © Jim Stephenson Architectural Photography and Film
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