News

Charcoalblue projects receive 'Stirling' response

UK - Less than a year after opening, two Charcoalblue Theatre Consultancy projects - The Unicorn Children's Theatre and the Siobhan Davies Dance Studios - have been entered for the prestigious RIBA 2006 Stirling Prize.

Selected from a field of over 2500 architectural projects, these two ventures have already won two of a possible 62 RIBA Awards for 2006. It is from these 62 Award winners (54 in the UK and eight in the EU), that the ultimate recipient of The RIBA Stirling Prize will be selected. Run in association with the Architects Journal, the awards will be televised on Channel four on Saturday 14 October 2006.

As part of the selection process The Unicorn Children's Theatre has also won a special RIBA award, plus an Overseas Award from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

Architect for the Unicorn, Keith Williams, says: "We are naturally delighted with the response the building has received from audience, users and critics since its acclaimed opening in December last year. To have received these two prestigious awards is a testament to five years of very close collaboration with the Unicorn to achieve this outcome. We very much enjoyed working with Charcoalblue."

While Theatre Projects Consultants (TPC) was the theatre consultant of record for the Unicorn project, Charcoalblue was set up by ex-TPC employees Andy Hayles, Jack Tilbury and Jon Stevens, two years into the project. Due to the "excellent relationship" with the client, it was decided that the Charcoalblue directors would remain on the Unicorn team, while TPC maintained overall authorship of the project.

RIBA Awards are presented annually to buildings that have high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment. The Unicorn is the first purpose built theatre for children in London.

Charcoalblue's directors provided lead technical consultancy from the beginning of the Unicorn project to the completion of the construction works. The company has created a flexible multi-configurable stage in the 350-seat main house and an innovative engineering solution for flying and rigging. It also specified all lighting and sound equipment and the technical infrastructure to support it - both in the main house and the Studio Theatre.

The Siobhan Davies dance studios designed by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, comprises a rehearsal / performance space, featuring a complex 'ribbon' ceiling, which incorporates cleverly concealed lighting positions. Again, Charcoalblue worked in close association with the venue's technical staff to create a flexible yet discrete technical facility.

Managing director of Charcoalblue, Andy Hayles, says: "Being involved in two such special, successful projects so early in our practice's life is not only testament to the brilliant collaboration with architects Keith Williams and Sarah Wigglesworth, but also the quality of the Charcoalblue team."

(Chris Henry)

(20 July 2006)