Introduction
"Mather is one of the first names on anyone's list when it comes to stitching damaged bits of urban fabric together. 'Giving something to the street' is practically the motto of this urbane, London-based American architect. Although the Lyric is a tiny job by his standards these days it is an object lesson in the purist architectural pragmatism...it bears a particular hallmark of his: it's so simple, so apparently obvious...Mather has worked his horizontals and verticals, slyly subverting the lumpen lines of his base material, transforming it into a building that, with its bright, internally illuminated glass walls, acts as a great big sign saying: Theatre!"
Hugh Pearman
The Sunday Times
Set back on a raised podium, as it existed, the Lyric Theatre presented a forbidding and inaccessible front to the Lyric Square - its main point of access being a small shop front entrance on King Street.
The new entrance building re-orientates the theatre at ground level, forming a new public front from a formerly blank side to the theatre, giving the Lyric the major street presence it has wanted and needed since it was built. Incorporating a new box office, foyer, cafe bar, educational and rehearsal spaces and back of house facilities, the new addition's transparency counterpoints the 'fortress like' quality of the existing building. Clearly and distinctively illuminated at night, the activities of the building are made visible, forming a public forum for the Lyric and a central feature of the new, pedestrianised Lyric Square, drawing the whole community into the theatre.
The new facilities provide a better environment for the research and development of artistic work which will help to ensure that the highest calibre of artists continue to want to work with the theatre. Improving the quality and scope of the Lyric's education programme by providing a dedicated and fully resourced room for holding educational events and improve access to the arts.
Sunday Times
How to make an entrance
Hugh Pearman - 15 March 04
Blueprint
Lyric presents its new look
Grant Gibson - April 04
Building
Lyric changes its tune
21 Mar 03
Client
Lyric Theatre
Location
Hammersmith, London, UK
Size
750m²
Value
£2.6m
Completed
Mar 04
Supported by
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Arts Council