HaworthTompkins

Theatr Design and Access Statement, October 2019 Team

CLIENT THEATRE CONSULTANT FIRE CONSULTANT PLANNING CONSULTANT THEATR CLWYD CHARCOALBLUE LLP OFR FIRE + RISK CONSULTANTS LAMBERT SMITH HAMPTON + FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 180 THE STRAND SUITE 101, JACTIN HOUSE 2 ARUNDEL STREET 24 HOOD STREET 6TH FLOOR THEATR CLWYD LONDON MANCHESTER 3 HARDMAN STREET RAIKES LANE WC2R 3DA M4 6WX MANCHESTER MOLD M3 3HF CONTACT: ALEX WILLIAMS CH7 1YA CONTACT: EMMA CHAPMAN TEL: 0752 151 3720 CONTACT: PAUL SHUKER TEL: 020 7928 0000 CONTACT: LIAM EVANS-FORD TEL: 0161 242 7056 TEL: 01352 756331

ACOUSTIC CONSULTANT ACCESS CONSULTANT CHARCOALBLUE LLP HADA PROJECT DIRECTOR 180 THE STRAND CONTACT: HELEN ALLEN PLANN 2 ARUNDEL STREET TEL: 020 8340 1990 40 MORTIMER STREET LONDON LONDON WC2R 3DA W1W 7RQ

CONTACT: JACK TILBURY CONTACT: VANGELIS KOUFOUDAKIS BREEAM ASSESSOR TEL: 020 3846 9230 TEL: 020 7928 0000 WYG QUAY WEST AT MEDIACITYUK TRAFFORD WHARF ROAD, TRAFFORD STRUCTURAL ENGINEER PARK ARCHITECT BETTS ASSOCIATES MANCHESTER HAWORTH TOMPKINS LTD OLD MARSH FARM BARNS, WELSH ROAD M17 1HH 33 GREENWOOD PLACE SEALAND LONDON FLINTSHIRE CONTACT: IAN GARMORY NW5 1LB CH5 2LY TEL: 0161 874 8770

CONTACT: JESSICA DALY/WILL MESHER CONTACT: MEL FRIMSTON TEL: 020 7250 3225 TEL: 01244 288178 PRINCIPAL DESIGNER ADVISOR PFB CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTOR/QUANTITY SURVEYOR SERVICES ENGINEER SERVICES KIER SKELLY & COUCH 2ND FLOOR KIER HOUSE, WINDWARD DRIVE 6-9 UNION WHARF 72 CANNON STREET ESTUARY PARK 23 WENLOCK ROAD LONDON SPEKE, LIVERPOOL LONDON EC4N 6AE L24 8QR N1 7SB CONTACT: KATHI HILL CONTACT: DANE HARROP CONTACT: STEVE WHITE TEL: 020 7329 1221 TEL: 0151 448 5200 TEL: 020 7424 770

2 Theatr Clwyd, Design and Access Statement, 2019 Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

INTRODUCTION 5

THE SITE: HISTORY AND CONTEXT 6

BRIEF 10

PLANNING CONTEXT 11

CONSULTATION PROCESS 12

ARCHITECTURAL PROPOSAL 15

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 32

EXTERNAL APPEARANCE AND MATERIALS 34

KEY SPACES 44

ACCESSIBILITY 62

ACCESS VEHICULAR TRAVEL, SIGNAGE AND SECURITY 64

PUBLIC ART 65

SUSTAINABILITY 66

SITE ACCESS, PHASING AND CONSTRUCTION 68

ROOF ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE 69

AREA SCHEDULE 70

Model of Theatr Clwyd and the proposed south facade.

HaworthTompkins 3 Executive Summary

The much needed refurbishment of Theatr Clwyd will revitalise the theatre for the next generation. It will provide a new home for the local community and prevent the much loved building from possible closure.

A new timber extension at the front of the building provides a new, welcoming foyer space at three floors and contains a new double height restaurant, bar and café, as well as a meeting room and Green Room. Largely glazed, the foyer provides improved views out over the landscape of the surrounding hills, and is shaded by a large timber canopy to the south side. Venis aut experibus maxim quo berio evel mo comnihicid Two new rehearsal rooms are provided, including a full height room that can take a rehearsal for the maximpo rrorporit, optatur? Hendae et que qui omnimolestia Theatre stage, the Clwyd Room is refurbished with the floor raised to all one level, and a corum, tenimod ma nectendae dollaborro cor aut as aspelis series of designated flexible rooms for community groups are created for creative engagement, kids play and alibus andigenis voluptat. Health and Wellbeing. A sensory garden and kids play area are provided on the east elevation. Neque parum ute que doluptaquam qui apictio nsequi atis Auditoriums are improved technically, with minor improvements to seating planning and control rooms. parchillum que vellorernam alit aborehendit que velliatent odi tem quatusandis et, simet labo. Ebis alici volorest, te dis ma Backstage areas are refurbished and internal layouts rearranged where necessary to meet requirements of coreium sitassitat quam faccatas ipsapie ndestibus et eaquae. different departments. A new workshop extension at the back of the site provides a facility that is currently Ipis eum is am quatum nus. off-site, allowing all departments to be located at the theatre. A viewing gallery is created to allow the public Optionseque nossi corro blam hariber estibustione lam nese to view backstage facilities. posandi dis dolorib usanduc ipsapiendi cumquist offictae evenem faciis il et explabo. Ita doluptassi voluptas ipiet excerios Accessibility will be improved throughout, with level access to all front of house areas, 5 new passenger excerest acculla sinullorecte quatus si ut reprae velibus sam lifts, accessible WC’s throughout the building and showers in back of house areas, and new wheelchair quissim incietur? positions in auditoriums. Suntia dolor minctatetur aut ut dolenis quis exerum voloraerum The thermal envelope of the building will be improved, and renewable energy sources including PV panels eic tem ut aliquae rorectetur, cuptate pliam verum ipid ute and air source heat pumps utilised to improve energy consumption. All services and theatre equipment are libust aut es erspernam, sument, utesequia doluptur as auditate replaced throughout the building. cum que illam, odi cus dolores etur si ut del expeles nos ad quatiundi deliciis et optatent eariorat as perci consequi quaest Whilst the surrounding landscape does not form part of the scope for this planning application, some initial que natem dolupta tincto et la niendae non pa nonseque inciati proposals have been developed to consider how the new theatre could relate to the landscape and wider consed ut que vellecu saestius el ma quas reptam aut. campus. Illustrative proposals are shown in images throughout this report.

Concept sketch showing Theatr Clwyd foyer and fly tower within the rural setting.

4 Theatr Clwyd, Design and Access Statement, October 2019 Introduction

This Stage 3 Report has been produced by Haworth Tompkins Ltd. to support the full planning application made on behalf of Theatr Clwyd for the refurbishment and extension of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, Flintshire. This report has been developed in consultation with the client and design team. Although no formal pre-application process was required due to the extent of new build being below the threshold, this report follows meetings and dialogue with Flintshire County Council Planning, Flintshire Conservation, and CADW, as well as extensive public consultation, and has been developed in response to comments received.

This document provides an analysis of the existing building and requirements of the brief, followed by a detailed explanation of the proposals for the new building. Reference is made to other supporting documents, including the Heritage Impact Assessment and Heritage Impact Statement, which are included as Appendices.

The proposed south facade and Foyer extension at night.

HaworthTompkins 5 The Site: History and Context

Theatr Clywd was designed by architect R.W. Harvey and the department of Architecture at Flintshire County Council, opening in May 1976.

The theatre is part of a larger county civic complex, consisting of the Shire Hall (1968) with later extensions in 1972 and 1975, Magistrates and Crown Court (1969) and Library (1969). The theatre was conceived as the jewel in the crown and represents the last development of the masterplan.

Driven by national policy to provide a cultural offering to the population of post-war Britain, the Welsh Arts Council formed in 1946 as part of the Arts Council of Great Britain, becoming in effect, a cultural arm of the Welfare State. Theatr Clwyd became part of a project consisting of multiple Arts venues stretching across that now forms a legacy of post-war optimism in public building.

The building is approached via the east or west along a dedicated drop off road that divides the civic complex. The theatre sits at the highest and most northern part of the civic complex with views across the valley below to the Clwydian Range. Surrounded by lands for agriculture and woodland, the theatre’s location is unique to an institution of its size and popularity.

The majority of people enter the building via the car park tunnel, linking the underground car park Location of Theatr Clwyd in the UK and North Wales. to the ground floor foyer. The car park is embedded into the landscape carving itself into the hillside and providing adequate capacity for the theatre.

Featuring the separate functions of theatre, function suite and educational technology centre, the original building was the site of increasing Arts investment in North Wales. The long, wide corridor linking the parts of the building as a generous circulation spine also formed an art gallery.

The Educational Technology Centre was an ambitious project comprising a TV studio, production facilities, a film and tape library and ‘viewing theatre’ - now the cinema. HTV later ran the facilities as a TV studio before the theatre took over the whole building.

A later office annexe to the north-west corner is occupied by a tenant with a long lease and this element of the building does not form part of the current study, although is intended to be used for the theatre admin team to move into during construction.

The theatre element was well laid out functionally by the standards of its time. The fact that many areas are unaltered is evidence of sensible, pragmatic planning. However, some aspects have not stood the test of time. The workshop, while adequate for the functions of set building, trial assembly and painting originally envisaged, was outgrown at an early stage, and it is now used for painting and making props only.

No rehearsal room was provided - possibly it was envisaged that the flat floor of the EWT would N serve as rehearsal room as well as studio theatre - and the office space provided for the theatre as opposed to the Educational Technology Centre was small. In addition, the theatre now has other

Aerial photo showing Theatr Clwyd in the surrounding rural landscape, near to Mold.

6 Theatr Clwyd, Design and Access Statement, October 2019 activities to accommodate such as youth and outreach work, a greater amount of in house productions, and facilities for public and staff fall short of modern expectations.

The Educational Technology Centre is also logically planned, and the original plans make sense as separate organisations within the same building. As appropriated by the theatre, many of these spaces are inefficient and have overlong circulation routes.

The external appearance of the theatre is of a composition of different volumes formed by the demands of the spaces within. They are united by the use of a red handmade brick and lead bands to high level. The flytower is the largest of these volumes and is visible from a considerable distance. Whilst the building is not architecturally distinguished, the massing is strong.

Writing in Building magazine in 1976, Colin Davies commented, “...the external form of the building... is relaxed and easy on the eye and the building looks quite at home on its hill top site. The forms and massing have been allowed to design themselves...”. He saw the lack of grand architectural gesture as a good thing: “... and there is a welcome absence of the sort of stylistic affectation which spoils so many civic buildings.”

Today, the exterior of the building, particularly around the main entrance, looks dated and tired compared to many comparable new or refurbished theatre venues.

Original internal finishes include tiled columns, textured sprayed soffits, black timber slatted ceiling panels and quarry tiled floors. The Anthony Hopkins Theatre is lined in a geometric modular tile. Back of house spaces are predominantly painted concrete blockwork. Like the exterior, the Theatr Clwyd under construction interior feels tired and in need of new energy. At ground floor, the entrance and café are sited deep into the plan, lacking light and views. At first floor, the eccentric entrance and theatre foyer spaces demand a long circulation route to the cinema, and fire escape staircases block the flow of circulation from one end of the building to the other.

The building’s listing has weighed heavily on the theatre’s success in function as a place of communal value. The approach to the building’s listing has been outlined in the Heritage Impact Assessment and Statement and summarises the design team’s Heritage Objectives which has sought to produce targets for the alteration of the building. These objectives have guided many of our design decisions and seek to reinstate or improve the heritage significance of the theatre. This has resulted mainly in improvements to the capability of the performance spaces as well as improvements to the public offer in catering and generosity of space.

Theatr Clwyd currently

HaworthTompkins 7 The theatre currently faces a number operational issues that require attention if it is to continue to produce theatre and support artists in the future. Theatr Clwyd’s ambition is to undergo a serious capital project to enhance its capability as a nationally recognised producing house.

TC has enjoyed an improving revenue income over the past couple of years as public grant incomes have decreased. In order to meet the future ambitions of the theatre outlined above, the commercial aspect of the theatre must expand to meet the inevitable increase in costs. Revenue Theatr Clwyd generated by on site catering has the potential to alleviate additional commercial pressures of this expansion.

Architecturally, the building has changes very little and robust construction has been a testament to the building’s original vision for good design. However, generally finishes are in poor condition and many areas are in need of repair to wear and tear. The building also suffers from thermal inefficiency and leaking windows and roofs. The external envelope has stood well and is need of car park localised repair and cleaning.

The multiple foyers, separated by floor level are also acoustically and visually separated, meaning there is not a sense of a central connected space to the rest of the performance spaces. The foyers have aggregated secondary fittings and finishes that confuse the look and feel of the front of house. An underused ground floor has a distinct lack of architectural and operational purpose, as theatre goers climb straight to the first floor from the tunnel entrance.

Aerial view of the site showing Theatr Clwyd within the council campus, the car park and site identified for the Beyond the front of house, the rear workshop facilities are too small for the theatre’s ambitions, archive building. with companies making use of costly external facilities rather than in-house due to lack of space. As well as this, vital new rehearsal space is needed to meet the growing demand of visiting and in-house companies for space; the current offer is vastly inadequate.

Theatr Clwyd’s performance spaces have fared well over 42 years with no structural change to the layouts or arrangements of the AHT or EWT. These spaces are of key significance to the listing and changes required here are limited to minimal aesthetic and comfort updates to contemporary standards.

View of main entrance View from inside the existing first floor cafe

Existing ground floor foyer Existing back of house corridor

8 Theatr Clwyd, Design and Access Statement, October 2019 ENTRANCES ORIENTATION

The main public entrance is The main foyer is orientated from the south into the foyer, south-south-west so gains heat ENERGY CENTRE which houses the box office and ENERGY CENTRE from the sun throughout the GOODS shop. Deliveries are also day. Admin offices are also brought here as there is no located on the south elevation. stage door. Other entrances are Solar shading for both will need

THEATR CLWYD shown, which are occasionally THEATR CLWYD to be considered within the

BOH used by staff. design without obstructing the views of the landscape.

MAIN ENTRANCE

CAR PARK CAR PARK

COUNTY COUNTY LIBRARY LIBRARY

CAR PARK CAR PARK

KEY VIEWS BUILDING USES

The theatre boasts views of the The existing building was built landscape in all directions, with originally to house both a ENERGY CENTRE a panoramic view over the local ENERGY CENTRE theatre (west side, area shown hills including Moel Famau to in red) and an educational the south. The best view from technology centre (east side, the existing building is from the area shown in blue). The

THEATR CLWYD south east public staircase, THEATR CLWYD building is now used only as a which partially obstructs the theatre, putting pressure on PANORAMA views from the foyer itself. some circulation areas, There are currently no external particularly the back of house terraces at upper floors in the corridor that passes the back of foyer to gain the best views. the EWT (shown in red).

CAR PARK CAR PARK

Existing back of house corridor COUNTY COUNTY LIBRARY LIBRARY

HaworthTompkins 9 CAR PARK Brief

Theatr Clwyd urgently requires a complete refurbishment and extension for the theatre to remain viable for the next generation. Much of the existing building is no longer suitable for its needs and in some areas does not meet current regulations. The west side of the existing building was designed for a different purpose, and contains many inefficient small cellular rooms.

The following list sets out the key requirements of the brief for development:

• A new, beautiful, welcoming foyer space to attract visitors, with improved and views out over the landscape • Improved legibility of the building, as sometimes visitors get confused as to where they are • Technical, minor planning and architectural improvements to performance spaces • Creation of two new rehearsal rooms • Creation of ‘flexible rooms’ to provide designed areas for community activities, creative engagement, health and wellbeing, children’s play • Refurbished Clwyd Room for community activities • A new workshop to allow the whole theatre to be on one site • Improved back of house facilities for all departments, including improved storage spaces • New catering facilities and a new restaurant • Improved visibility of making facilities for public including new viewing platform overlooking workshop and paint frame • Exemplary sustainability Sketch showing primary foyer ‘street’ space at first floor with bar in centre of plan and new external terrace. • Replacement of all existing services • Exemplary accessibility throughout

Since the original feasibility study, the brief hasn’t changed significantly with the design emphasis largely on details of the key spaces. Previously a suite of bedrooms were included in the brief for visiting actors, however these were omitted in the last stage of work due to cost and complexities relating to fire regulations. The design of the foyer extension has developed significantly since the feasibility study, details of which are set out in this report.

Within the last stage of work, the building was listed by CADW, which has formed a change to the brief. A Conservation Management Assessment was carried out by Haworth Tompkins, identifying key significance and informed the detailed design of some areas particularly the extensions, however CADW have remained supportive that the development required to keep the building running is key, which does not change the brief set out above.

Key adjacencies are explained further within the ‘Key Spaces’ section of this document. An area schedule is provided towards the back of this report.

Early sketch of the foyer extension and canopy with its outward facing views toward the landscape.

10 Theatr Clwyd, Design and Access Statement, October 2019 Planning Context

Theatr Clwyd was newly Grade II listed on 11th June 2019 for its special interest as an important type of theatre of its kind. This follows the listing of other buildings that make up the County Civic Complex, the site of the local authority Flintshire. The original listing is appended to this report and describes the theatre as significant for its use in the community. Theatr Clwyd is not in a conservation area.

The development proposes refurbishment and extension of the existing theatre building with internal and external building works. Extensions include a rear workshop and front foyer extension as well as several small roof extensions. The net increase of floorspace amounts to below the threshold for a major development and no formal Pre-Application has been sought. An open dialogue between Flintshire and HT has however, enabled a beneficial collaboration throughout Stage 3.

The theatre is central to the community of North Wales and the UK, and as such the planned extensions extend the main D2 Use type enhancing its operational function and capacity.

The following section outlines the theatre’s public consultation process and engagement.

Early concept sketch of the Foyer double height space at Stage 2.

HaworthTompkins 11 Consultation Process

Consultation with the staff and public has been held throughout the design process. At feasibility stage the public were consulted on early proposals via an email survey, as well as installations around the building to post suggestions on. The results were summarised and fed into the client brief for further development of the proposals.

Haworth Tompkins and the wider design team have consulted with the wider client team during each design stage, holding briefing sessions allowing the design team to gain a much greater understanding of the running of the building, the specific needs of each department, special areas required and how they each operate day by day. The findings all fed into the brief, and this process will continue as the design develops into more detailed proposals.

Public consultation sessions to review the proposal prior to the planning application we held throughout August and September 2019 with the following groups:

• Theatr Clwyd Volunteers • Community Groups that regularly use the theatre • Flintshire County Council Members and Employees • Local Business and suppliers of the theatre • Parents of participants of our Youth Theatre • Actors & Creatives who have worked at Theatr Clwyd in recent years

6 sessions were also held in the local community, in the following locations: Ruthin, , Buckley, Flint, Connah’s Quay and Chester. In total 737 people attended the stakeholder sessions.

Example pages from the public consultation website, linked to from the main Theatr Clwyd website.

12 Theatr Clwyd, Design and Access Statement, October 2019 A new capital project website ‘Futuretheatrclwyd.com’ was set up, linked to from the homepage of the main Theatr Clwyd website, which provided the public with information on:

• Reasons why the development is necessary and why now • Problems with the existing building including energy use and running costs • History of the theatre • Images showing architectural proposals for the redevelopment • Proposals for improved energy consumption including renewable energy sources • Details of improvements to specific areas including new community facilities, improvements to the theatres, creation of designated rehearsal spaces and improved making facilities • The team working on the project • What will happen to the theatre whilst the works are taking place

The website has attracted over 3,600 users, visiting over 4,500 times with 22,165 page views (99% Eng, 1% Wel), spending on average 3min 47seconds on the site.

On 1st September 2019 a public open day was held at Theatr Clywd. Tours were given to the public in small groups by Theatr Clwyd staff. The public were then invited to attend presentations by the theatre’s directors, Liam Evans-Ford and Tamara Harvey, and Haworth Tompkins, who explained the history of the theatre and need for development.

Haworth Tompkins and Theatr Clwyd Directors presenting to the public on 1st September.

HaworthTompkins 13