Since completion in 2015, HOME has established itself as a leading centre for contemporary theatre, film, art, music and more. The accommodation provides 3 new space in 3 interlocking disused Grade II listed railway arches.

Our brief for this project was to bring ‘hope and joy’ to anyone using the facility.

The programme of the facility comprises a meeting hub, dance studio and makers spaces. Inclusivity for all and high sustainable credentials are at the core of the design.

The new facilities connect to the existing HOME theatre via the rear of the arches. The Whitworth Street elevation completes the ongoing First Street Masterplan on this edge and engages HOME with a new active street frontage.

The design approach was to work with the existing volume of the viaduct and create a series of simple, modular components that ‘plug into’ the spaces offering activity and interest to the street whilst creating privacy and screening to the internal functions.

The main glazing is pushed back from face of the viaduct and our brick display windows, giving the elevation depth and relief, allowing the underside of the arch to be exposed externally along with historic steel ties that bind the viaduct together. Set within the glazing the display windows sit as stand alone elements respecting and not touching the brick structure.

These plug-ins sit almost as pieces of furniture or an installation, projecting from either façade of the viaduct and opened up in the middle to expose a softer timber inner that houses a mix of rooms, functions and surfaces for display.