Everyman Theatre

RIBA Stirling Prize 2014

The Everyman has been conceived from the outset as an exemplar of sustainable good practice. An earlier feasibility study had included a much larger and more expensive building on a new site, but Haworth Tompkins argued for the importance of continuity and compactness on the original site. Carefully dismantling the existing structure, all the nineteenth century bricks were salvaged for reuse as the shell of the new auditorium and recycled the timbers of the roof structure. By making efficient use of the site footprint Haworth Tompkins avoided the need to acquire a bigger site and demolish more adjoining buildings. Together with the client team they distilled the space brief into its densest and most adaptable form.

Having minimised the space and material requirement of the project, the fabric was designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, unusual for an urban theatre building. Natural ventilation for the main performance and workspaces is achieved via large roof vents and underfloor intake plenums, using thermal mass for pre-cooling, and the foyers are vented via opening screens and a large lightwell. The fully exposed concrete structure (with a high percentage of cement replacement) and reclaimed brickwork walls provide excellent thermal mass, while the orientation and fenestration design optimize solar response - the entire west façade is designed as a large screen of moveable sunshades. Offices and ancillary spaces are ventilated via opening windows.

Key design features of the building

In the auditorium, outdoor air is supplied to the audience without the need for mechanical assistance for the majority of the summer and all through the autumn and spring. This is achieved by drawing in air from an inlet to the rear and using the thermal mass of the large plenum under the workshop floor for pre-cooling. An air-source heat pump allows incoming air to be heated or cooled when necessary with fan assistance for smaller winter air volumes or as a boost during exceptionally high
temperatures.

The air is then supplied to the space through an arrangement of openings behind and below the seats. The people and lighting help to warm the air, making it buoyant, and causing it rise to high level. From here, it is carried away through an acoustically attenuated exhaust plenum integrated within the technical gallery level to the exhaust chimneys.

The chimney's height above the intake is required to achieve the stack effect and ensure the air flow is predominantly up and out.

EV1 also has a street level intake, feeding floor grills, and has chimney slots for extract. The rehearsal room is ventilated by roof windcatchers, supplemented with opening terrace doors. The foyers are vented via opening screens and a large lightwell. The fully exposed concrete structure (with a high percentage of cement replacement) and reclaimed brickwork walls provide excellent thermal mass, while the orientation and fenestration design optimize solar response - the entire west façade is designed as a large screen of moveable sunshades. Offices and ancillary spaces are ventilated via opening windows. The basement bistro is the only principal space to be mechanically ventilated.

Out of the low carbon energy systems considered, Gas Fired CHP was selected so that the electrical output compliments the pattern of use of year round hot water demand for catering, showers etc.

Rainwater is harvested to provide a proportion of WC flushing demand.
The front of house and auditorium house lighting schemes use entirely low energy LED fittings. The design of the auditorium provides a large degree of flexibility to allow it to adapt to future artistic and technical demands.
The building has taken almost a decade of intensive teamwork to conceive, achieve consensus, fundraise, design, and build, and the design will ensure a long future life of enjoyment by a diverse population of artists, audiences and staff.

Key Data

- Predicted electricity consumption 86.76 kWh/m2
- Predicted fossil fuel consumption - 186.51 kWh/m2
- Predicted energy generation by CHP 29.18 kWh/m2
- Predicted water use - 628 m3/person/year
- % of predicted w.c. Flush water use to be provided by rainwater 45 %

The steps taken during the construction process to reduce environmental impacts included:

- Recycling of over 90% of demolition waste
- Recycling of 89% of construction waste
- Monitoring the sites energy and water use and impact of transport to site
- A biodiversity champion on the site team to prevent harm to any flora and fauna

The project has contributed to the following social or economically sustainable measures:

- Employment and training of apprentices in the construction process.
- Creating a fully accessible public building.
- Creating space for the everyman to continue and expand education and community work.
- Providing workspace to support local writers.