The new Tom Patterson Theatre is designed to stand as an attractor, and is positioned to draw people to the City of Stratford, to the Festival, along the banks of the Avon River, and through the gardens.
From the outside, the building will glitter like a seductive jewel, a magnetic prelude to the delight and joy of the performances within. An undulating bronze veil wraps the theatre in petals of warmth and light. Once inside, the curvilinear design creates quiet folds and eddies where one can wait for a loved one, engage in quiet conversation, or savour a contemplative moment sheltered from the current of activity. The design creates an architecture presenting a unified whole, while at the same time enabling each programmatic element in the lobby, education spaces, and Forum to have distinct experiences nestled within.
At the heart of the building, clad in softly lime-washed brick masonry, the theatre is designed to honour all that is cherished about the beloved Tom Patterson; the unique elongated thrust stage, the pronounced stepping of the tiers that provide clear site lines, and the unparalleled intimacy. The curved ceiling embraces the patrons below, and is expressed as a basketed surface of textured dark wooden planks. Beneath the vaulted ceiling, a network of suspended technical catwalks replete with elegant wooden acoustic baffles will form a hanging 'chandelier' that provides flexibility and access to lighting and rigging positions for all performances.
In keeping with the experience inside the theatre, a breathtakingly beautiful garden will stretch out from each end of the site. The terraced landscape will breathe, alive with colour and texture, evident in the golden hues of the trees, the rich purples of the flowers, and the softness of the long grasses.
Credits:
- Hariri Pontarini Architects - Project Architect - Lindsay Hochman
- Aercoutsics Engineering - Acoustic Consultants
- Arup - Mechanical / Electrical Consultants
- Holbrook & Associates, The Planning Partnership - Landscape Consultants
- Hariri Pontarini Architects - Partner-In-Charge - Siamak Hariri
- Hariri Pontarini Architects - Project Associate-Partner - Doron Meinhard
- RDH Building Science Inc. - Sustainability Consultants
- Thorton Tomasetti - Structural Consultants
- Fisher Dachs Associates - Theatre Consultants
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