National Theatre Studio

During his time at Haworth Tompkins Architects in London, Thom was the project architect on the refurbishment of the National Theatre Studio.

The 1958 Grade 2* listed Brutalist concrete and brick ‘Studio’ by celebrated practice Lyons Israel & Ellis on Waterloo’s The Cut is the National Theatre’s engine room for the development of new talent. Masterworks like “His Dark Materials” began their gestation at the NTS.

A decision to relocate the National’s education studio and archive to the Studio provided the funding opportunity for a creative restoration of the building. In the process utilisable area was increased by 40% including a new prime studio equipped for musical dance theatre.

All services, external glazing, roofing plus the greater part of the interior were replaced and greatly improved theatrical equipment was installed throughout.

The superb composition of the original concrete frame was retained and emphasised, while the reconfigured interior has an understated manner with muted materials.

New doors and windows were crafted in douglas fir to match the original profiles.