Aviva Studios
- Location
- Manchester, UK
- Client
- Manchester City Council
- Expertise
- Acoustics
- Building Services Engineering
- Design Management
- Lighting
- Completion
- 2023
- Size
- 143,000 sq ft
This 14,000 square metre theatre is all about flexibility. It's a versatile space that can easily be transformed to host anything from small theatre shows and detailed exhibitions to massive multimedia events and large-scale concerts.
Aviva Studios, located on Manchester's River Irwell, is the UK's biggest cultural investment since the Tate Modern opened in 2000. Designed to host dance, theatre, music, visual arts, and spoken word performances, the building is incredibly versatile, seamlessly blending art with public culture. The facilities, including acoustics, lighting, and building services provided by BDP, ensure that both front-of-house and backstage areas are integrated, all while offering views of the river and surrounding green spaces.
The heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are designed to adapt to the building’s flexible nature, accommodating various event types and configurations. We used advanced simulations to fine-tune the HVAC systems in the theatre and warehouse, with a specialist acoustics team making sure everything works harmoniously.
The lighting enhances the building's industrial design and supports its adaptable spaces. At night, the new lighting transforms the area, connecting the theatre to BDP’s Ordsall Chord railway bridge and footpath, linking the river to the city centre. The lighting system, including blues systems, technical grids, and house lights, helps the building shine as a hub for international arts and culture.
The project is driven by Manchester City Council, with support from the UK Government and Arts Council England.
“This is a striking and highly functional design that gives efficiency and longevity to an exceptional venue.”
"This is a space that can create multiple opportunities and endless configurations and environments. It is a new type of performance space, a unique crossover between a fixed theatre and flexible warehouse.”
