Everyman Theatre shortlisted for RIBA Stirling Prize 2014

Thursday 24th July 2014

Gilbert-Ash received thrilling news last week when we heard that our Everyman Theatre project in Liverpool was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize for 2014. This is the third time and the third year in a row that a Gilbert-Ash constructed project has been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, widely recognised as being the most prestigious award in the industry. In 2013 the Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre made the shortlist and the Lyric Theatre was shortlisted in 2012.

Only 6 projects make the shortlist each year and the Everyman Theatre faces strong competition. Other projects making the shortlist include The Shard and the Olympic Aquatics Centre. The Everyman Theatre won the RIBA 2014 North West Regional Award and the RIBA 2014 North West Building of the Year Award. It also won the World Architectural News Award for 2014 for Performing Spaces.Gilbert-Ash worked collaboratively with the architects for the project Haworth Tompkins, and with the client The Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust.

The Everyman Theatre holds an important place in Liverpool culture. The theatre was converted from the original Hope Hall Chapel. The building is surrounded by 18th and 19th century listed buildings so any new construction needed to be sensitive to its historical location.

The new Everyman Theatre is constructed using over 25,000 bricks salvages from the original Chapel building. The main façade features 105 moveable metal sunshades, each one featuring a life-sized image of an array of citizens of Liverpool – literally the ‘everymen’ of the city.

The new theatre has been developed according to rigorous principles of sustainable design and achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’.

The winner of the Stirling Prize will be announced in October – fingers crossed we might be third time lucky?