In pictures: Haworth Tompkins’ new Court Theatre in Ōtautahi Christchurch

Haworth Tompkins worked with local Aotearoa New Zealand firm Athfield Architects to deliver a sustainable new theatre to replace the company’s original home that was severely damaged in the 2011 earthquake. 

After the quake, New Zealand’s largest professional theatre company was forced to vacate the Arts Centre and operate from a temporary venue, but in 2020 Christchurch City Council partnered with them to develop a new, purpose-built facility in the city centre. The result is a sustainable theatre complex that anchors the revitalised cultural core of the city. The facility includes a 379-seat main playhouse, a 130–150-seat studio theatre, rehearsal and education spaces, workshops for set building, costume and props creation, and front-of-house amenities including a cafe and bar. 

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The foyer

Source: Simon Devitt

Costume and wardrobe workshop

Source: Simon Devitt

Colombo Street facade

Source: Simon Devitt

Foyer

Source: Simon Devitt

Foyer staircase

Source: Simon Devitt

Gloucester Street facade

Source: Simon Devitt

Rehearsal room

Source: Simon Devitt

Scenery workshop

Source: Simon Devitt

Stewart Family Room main auditorium lighting bridges

Source: Simon Devitt

Stewart Family Room main stage

Source: Simon Devitt

Foyer detail

Source: Simon Devitt

View down Gloucester Street

Source: Simon Devitt

Rehearsal room

Stewart Family Room main auditorium

Source: Simon Devitt

Stewart Family Room main auditorium

Source: Simon Devitt

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The architectural team adopted a hybrid construction approach to respond to both technical and environmental goals. The structure is formed of a mix of mass timber, steel, and concrete, combining the warmth and sustainability of timber with the strength and resilience of steel and concrete. Timber is used throughout the interior to create a welcoming, tactile environment while also acting as a natural humidity regulator, absorbing and releasing moisture as needed. 

The facade integrates robust and contextual materials that respond to the preponderance of glass and aluminium facades in the post-quake rebuild of the city. They are scaled and proportioned to acknowledge the neighbouring heritage buildings, while glazing connects interior spaces to the public realm and surrounding precinct. The main auditorium is configured as a courtyard theatre – compact, intimate and flexible, enabling a wide range of productions and reinforcing the close relationship between performers and audience. The second, smaller studio theatre allows for experimental and community-driven work, increasing opportunities for diverse storytelling and engagement.

Supporting Haworth Tompkins and Athfield Architects, Charcoalblue developed the theatre’s specialist technical design, the building is the first in New Zealand to incorporate powered flying systems, allowing for greater technical capability and staging versatility. Throughout, the facility has been designed to meet high standards of accessibility and performance, with a clear emphasis on inclusivity and future-proofing.

Roger Watts, director, Haworth Tompkins, said, ”While the earthquake-resilient raft foundations are by nature necessarily heavy on concrete, the above-ground construction has been designed to limit the use of concrete to the central stabilising auditorium ‘box’ giving both stability and acoustic isolation, with a timber and steel frame wrapping around. Finishes were chosen to be tactile and age gracefully with patination over time. The building was designed to maximise natural light and fresh air, including the use of passive stack ventilators providing attenuated passive ventilation to the auditorium.”