Press release for immediate release
The National Theatre of Scotland to create a £5.8m permanent headquarters
in the Speirs Wharf regeneration area of Glasgow
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Redevelopment of building disused since 2002 will include one of the largest theatrical
rehearsal rooms in Scotland, a dedicated facility for small-scale community drama work
and a fully operational technical and costume production resource.
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While the building will not be a performance space, the technical and administrative
facilities created will enable the National Theatre of Scotland to serve ever-better the
country through its innovative ‘Theatre Without Walls’ model of operation.
The National Theatre of Scotland today announces plans to remodel and refurbish extensively a
former Cash and Carry building in the Speirs Wharf regeneration area of north-west Glasgow, to
create a new centre for creativity, production and talent development, designed by Gareth Hoskins
Architects. The Company in its short, nine year history has become a major theatrical producing
force on the Scottish, UK and international stage, with a reputation as a creator of world-class
theatre.
The National Theatre of Scotland will develop the disused building in Glasgow’s Craighall Road, in the
Speirs Wharf regeneration area of the north of the city, and turn it into a major resource for the
whole of the Scottish theatre industry. The canal-side building will provide the Company with
approximately 3700 sq. metres (40,000 sq.ft) of space over two levels.
For the first time all of the Company’s “back-room” activity will, through the new development,
come under one roof, avoiding the high costs of commercial rentals, and streamlining all operations.
The building will create a cost-effective, efficient and sustainable operational hub, from which to
build the Company’s artistic ambitions, productivity and reach, whilst ultimately remaining true to
the National Theatre of Scotland’s vision as a ‘theatre without walls’. This building will not be a
performance space, but a place where work can be devised, developed and rehearsed, and where
the crucial supporting functions of set and costume-making can be located.
This dedicated space will allow the Company to expand its commitment to making the National
Theatre of Scotland a learning organisation. A Learning and Community suite will be the focus for
engaging with a diverse range of participants. Creative Development spaces will offer new talent
development opportunities for hundreds for artists every year as well as realising the potential to
host labs and residencies and mentoring opportunities and acting as a beacon to attract world-class
international artists to Scotland.
The Company’s productions and performances themselves will continue to be site-specific, in halls,
pubs, schools, fields and high rise flats, as well as in traditional theatre settings throughout the
world.
By building this ‘factory of innovation’ in the industrial heartland of north Glasgow, the Company is
also making a commitment to the regeneration of this area of Scotland’s biggest city. Working in
partnership with key players, the National Theatre of Scotland aims to connect more meaningfully
with previously excluded communities.
Working closely with Scottish Canals, the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership and
internationally renowned, award-winning Glasgow-based architects, Gareth Hoskins Architects, the
new building will add an eye-catching feature to the open and secure landscaped redevelopment
around the Speirs Wharf waterways.
The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be part of an emerging cultural hub in the area.
Other cultural tenants include Scottish Opera, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow
Sculpture Studios, The Glue Factory and the Whisky Bond.
The building is designed by RIBA award-winning architects Gareth Hoskins Architects, based in
Glasgow. They have an acclaimed portfolio of buildings designed for the arts and cultural sector
including Mareel in Shetland, the UK’s most northerly cinema and music venue, The Bridge Arts
Centre in Easterhouse and Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre in Inverness. Gareth Hoskins Architects
won the commission to design ‘A Gathering Space’, Scotland’s first ever stand-alone pavilion at the
Venice Architecture Biennale 2008.
Key features of the new building:
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The new centre will become a beacon for theatrical innovation and provide a major resource
to the theatre community in Scotland.
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The building will be a centre for community activity in the north of Glasgow allowing the
National Theatre of Scotland to work with local groups in developing drama skills.
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The development and design are highly attractive and will enhance this area of Glasgow.
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The building will enhance the growing reputation of the Speirs Wharf/Canalside area as a
cultural hub.
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The building will allow the National Theatre of Scotland to consolidate its current enforced
disparate approach to rehearsal and technical space by uniting this activity under one roof
with the financial and resource benefits this brings.
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When it opens, in spring 2016, the National Theatre of Scotland’s new HQ will have ample
office space for its full time staff of 43, with enough space for freelance project workers and
writers and for a host of visiting artists and creatives.
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A full wardrobe workshop will provide the Company’s busy costume department with
enough space to make, maintain, and store the hundreds of costumes needed for
productions. This will include a dyeing room, laundry and cutting room with a new on-site
costume storage area.
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Technical workshops for all aspects of production, such as sound, light, and audio-visual, will
come under one roof, with optimum conditions for the making and maintaining of large
scale scenery. Of the three rehearsal rooms, one will be amongst the largest anywhere in
Scotland, allowing for simultaneous rehearsals of productions in one place, rather than as
now, using a variety of venues across the city and country.
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A dedicated space will enable the Company’s Learn Department to develop an annual
programme of work. This will be designed to welcome a wide range of groups from the
community and from schools, to the heart of Company’s new building to participate in
workshops, meet the Company and watch rehearsals.
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The building will allow the Company to become more environmentally sustainable with a
biomass boiler, new cladding and roof, an up to date Building Management System, and lowvoltage lighting.
Laurie Sansom, Artistic Director, the National Theatre of Scotland says
“For the first time ever, we have the opportunity to create a space that brings together our Company,
our colleagues and all our communities. A place of imagination, learning and play. A space from
which we can begin to fulfil our ambitions, not just for the National Theatre of Scotland but for the
wider theatre community and the entire nation.”
Chris Coleman-Smith, Director, Gareth Hoskins Architects says:
“We are delighted to be working with the National Theatre of Scotland, and a wider team of very
capable consultants, to create a place where functions currently housed in scattered, and in cases
inadequate, accommodation can be brought together in an efficient new facility. We are excited by
the ambition of the organisation to create theatre on a national and international scale that is
contemporary, confident and forward-looking and ourselves look to deliver a building that reflects
that ambition. The new facility is designed to meet both their immediate and long term
requirements, facilitating the continued evolution, development and growth of the National Theatre
of Scotland, and contributing to the sustainable regeneration of the area”
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Scottish Government
says:
“The new Speirs Wharf centre for creativity, production and talent development will be a hub of
innovation within the Scottish theatre industry. It will become a dedicated and inspiring space where
work will be devised and developed, sets and costumes designed and creative expression explored.
Not only will the facility assist with new productions and work, by redeveloping a disused building the
facility will help to regenerate the canal area at Speirs Wharf.
“The centre has been supported by £2 million of Scottish government funding. It is important we
support culture and heritage, protecting budgets and supporting the sector wherever possible. The
National Theatre of Scotland is renowned for world class productions and these facilities will help
them create exciting new work”
Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Jobs and the Economy, Glasgow City Council says:
“I am delighted that the National Theatre of Scotland has chosen to create its permanent
headquarters in Speirs Wharf – this is tremendous news for Glasgow and this part of the city in
particular. Glasgow City Council is investing £500,000 in this project, which will provide a fantastic
return in the form of a state of the art resource for our theatre community and - I am sure - a series
of world-class productions. There is now a very strong cluster of cultural organisations located near
the banks of the canal, and this will further drive the regeneration of the North Quarter.”
Dame Barbara Kelly, Chair of the Robertson Trust says
“The Robertson Trust is delighted to support the creation of a new home for the National Theatre of
Scotland in recognition of the excellent work it does in developing talent and promoting participation
within communities throughout the country. We will continue to work closely with the National
Theatre of Scotland and look forward to seeing this new building being used to its full potential,
providing a base to support the development of creative talent and producing work which will be
performed in theatres and community settings across Scotland.”
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This project has proceeded on the basis that it should cost no more to operate annually than the
Company’s current facilities, whilst providing a greatly enhanced and fit-for-purpose building which
will transform the way the National Theatre of Scotland works and supports the Scottish theatre
sector at large.
The total estimated cost for the new building is £5,875,000, with £3,454,481 secured to date from
the following sources:
• £2million Scottish Government grant
• £500,000 Glasgow City Council
• £469,481 Vacant and Derelict Land Fund • £400,000 The Robertson Trust
• £75,000 The Wolfson Foundation • £10,000 The Binks Trust
In addition, the Scottish Government has agreed to provide a loan funding facility to enable the
National Theatre of Scotland to progress the project. The Company continues to aim to raise funds
via Trusts, Foundations and to launch an appeal for major gifts to reduce the need for loan financing
and importantly reduce on-going expenditure.
DESIGN TEAM
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Architect – Gareth Hoskins
Structural Engineer – Woolgar Hunter
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer – Atelier 10
Quantity Surveyor – Thomas Adamson
Acoustic Consultant – Sandy Brown Associates
Transport Consultant – Sam Shortt Consultants
Accessibility Design Consultant – Phil Chambers Consultancy
TIME SCALE: Work is scheduled to begin on-site in July 2015 and construction complete in spring
2016.
PARTNERSHIPS: The National Theatre of Scotland has established close working relationships
throughout project planning with Scottish Canals, the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership,
Glasgow’s North Quarter Project alongside key funders the Scottish Government and Glasgow City
Council.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Emma Schad – Press Manager – 0141 227 9016/07930 308018
Email: emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The National Theatre of Scotland is dedicated to playing the great stages, arts centres,
village halls, schools and site-specific locations of Scotland, the UK and internationally. As
well as creating ground-breaking productions and working with the most talented theatremakers, the National Theatre of Scotland produces significant community engagement
projects, innovates digitally and works constantly to develop new talent. Central to this is
finding pioneering ways to reach current and new audiences and to encourage people’s full
participation in the Company’s work. With no performance building of its own, the Company
works with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest
quality. Founded in 2006, the Company, in its short life, has become a globally significant
theatrical player, with an extensive repertoire of award-winning work. The National
Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
2. Founded in Glasgow in 1998, Gareth Hoskins Architects Ltd. is one of the UK’s leading
architectural practices. With studios in Glasgow and Berlin the practice is involved in a wide
range of projects across Scotland and internationally. Though having an established
reputation for the design of arts and cultural buildings, the company undertakes interesting
projects of almost any size, across a wide variety of sectors. From private houses and
exhibition design to national public institutions and large commercial developments, the
firm strives to produce elegant, well-crafted buildings that generate a sense of place,
belonging to their location and becoming enjoyable places to live, work and play.
Their considered approach, including that of engaging people in discussion throughout the
design process, has led to their involvement in a number of exemplar and award winning
projects, often delivered with Local Authority and Public Body clients, setting the standard
for the highest quality in design. Contact details and sample projects can be found on their
website at www.garethhoskinsarchitects.co.uk
3. The Wolfson Foundation (www.wolfson.org.uk) is a charity that supports and promotes
excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health & disability, education and the arts &
humanities. Founded in 1955, the Wolfson Foundation celebrates its 60th anniversary this
year. During that period, it has awarded over £800 million (£1.3 billion in real terms) to some
10,000 projects. All awards are given on the basis of expert review. For further information
please contact Elizabeth Crawford, Partnerships & Communications Manager, Tel: 020 7323
5730 ext. 214, Email: elizabeth.crawford@wolfson.org.uk