The auditorium features striking orange-red leather seats and dark walnut surfaces
I wanted to make a building of surprises – the main auditorium takes most people aback when they visit it for the first time
What was your role? As architect you're the person who paints a picture of the future, the vision, but you are also the coor- dinator of that vision through the technical design and construction stage to reality. The Marlowe was very complex, and my architec- tural team worked for nearly fi ve years with a large team of engineers includ- ing Buro Happold and Max Fordham, acoustics experts, theatre consultant Charcoal Blue and the contractor ISG Jackson to make the project a reality.
How have you integrated the theatre into its surroundings? In essence I've designed The Marlowe to ascend in layers. The 1,200 seat auditorium and fl ytower are neces- sarily large structures – the fl ytower is the second tallest in the city cen- tre after Bell Harry - the cathedral’s central tower. The historic buildings nearest the Marlowe are generally of two/three storeys plus roof, so I cre- ated the colonnade at approximately the same scale as the historic street architecture to mediate between those buildings. The fl ytower is shaped to a pinnacle facing the cathedral, acknowl- edging the latter’s predominance.
ISSUE 1 2012 © cybertrek 2011
Keith Williams Founder & director Keith Williams Architects
What are the eco-credentials? Theatres are high energy use build- ings - nevertheless The Marlowe has achieved a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating. Where possible, we've used passive means to control the building envi- ronment. For example, the colonnade shields the lower foyer from high-angle sun to prevent overheating, allowing it to be completely naturally ventilated. For the auditorium, which requires
artifi cial ventilation, a displacement system has been used. This means that a higher supply air tempera- ture can be used (about 18 deg C) which means no mechanical cooling is required for many evening perform- ances, when the external ambient temperature is less than 18 deg C.
Are there any notable 'firsts'? The stretched stainless steel mesh covering the fl ytower is a fi rst for this type of application. It catches the col-
ours and moods of the weather as its surface changes from fl at grey to shimmering gold depending on cloud cover. At night it becomes a gauze which carries projected light to create a new beacon in the city.
What in your view is the
theatre’s main tour de force? I fi nd it hard to disseminate the com- ponents, as for me the building a complete thing.
For many people, it will be the main auditorium with its swooping curved balconies, fi ery orange-red seats, wal- nut surfaces and excellent acoustics.
How about your working relationship with the council? It's axiomatic in architectural circles that the best projects result from a really demanding, focused client work- ing closely with a gifted architect. All projects have their highs and lows but this one had very few of the latter. The council and theatre were excellent cli- ents, very supportive of my vision and giving suffi cient airtime to address the complex issues, before making clear decisions. For the Marlowe to be open less than fi ve years from our appoint- ment is testament to that drive. ●
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