The English city of York may be steeped in centuries-old history, but one unexpected jewel in its crown is a 1967 concrete creation by Patrick Gwynne. York Theatre Royal commissioned Gwynne to design an addition to its historical home, to house a café-bar area, after the success of his Serpentine Café in London's Hyde Park.
London architects De Matos Ryan were recently tasked with making the Grade II* listed venue – including Gwynne's vaulted umbrella forms – more appealing to more people, with the aim of increasing its revenue. Work has now finished; as a result, the size of the public space has doubled and the layout has improved, to encourage theatre goers and other visitors to use the seating and lounge areas throughout the day and into the night.
Gwynne's extension now houses a bistro, with dining chairs by York furniture designer John Green and pleasing muted crockery from Olympia Kiln. The architects discovered a yellow mosaic back wall and white Formica countertop – both installed by Gwynne – and restored them, as they did its 31 circular skylights.
Meanwhile, in the auditorium, the stalls seating has been raked (by tilting the floor), and the stage's raked floor has been flattened, to improve sightlines. 'There is not a bad seat in the house now,' says Angus Morrogh-Ryan, the architectural practice's director, who has also just put the finishing touches on the firm's revamp of Sadler's Wells in London.
This raking allowed the architects to increase the front-of-house space; and by glazing the Gothic colonnade, which had been open to the elements, they carved out another seating area and furnished it with pieces from HAY.
The theatre's £6m refurbishment is one of a number of boosts for this part of York. The £8m redevelopment of York Art Gallery, to a scheme by Ushida Findlay Architects and Simpson & Brown, opened last year, and De Matos Ryan is currently refurbishing York Mansion House.
The theatre includes a 1967 concrete addition by Patrick Gwynne, commissioned after the success of his Serpentine Café. Photography: Sirastudio
The theatre's main auditorium was also part of the recent renovation works. Now there's not a 'bad seat' in the house, says Angus Morrogh-Ryan, the architectural practice's director. Photography: Sirastudio
The building's old Gothic colonnade has been enclosed in glass to create further seating space. Photography: Sirastudio
The colonnade leads to a grand foyer, which also hosts the theatre's main box office. Photography: John Saunders
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the De Matos Ryan website
-
This surreal new seafood restaurant in LA is the stuff of mermaid's dreamsAt Cento Raw Bar, delectable fare is complemented by playful, oceanic interiors by Brandon Miradi
-
What’s new in the wearable world of smart glasses, and extended and augmented realityAre you ready for AR? Meta, Google, Snap and more are gearing up to compete with Apple and deliver frames-based communications devices – complete with AI integration
-
Italian-Japanese fusion’s a joy at east London’s Osteria AngelinaA Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields has been given a slick modern makeover to house a unique Italian-Japanese restaurant
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshopNew Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on lifeThanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being reborn as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilionLego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interiorAbbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A meticulously crafted artist’s space in east London evokes the area’s long creative historyMaich Swift Architects’ artist’s space has radically reconfigured a Victorian terraced house, transforming it into a contemporary live/work interior
-
Welcome to Omved Gardens, north London’s hidden green oasisThis secret space in Highgate is relaunching as a vibrant community hub with new spaces, activities and exhibitions
-
This contemporary cabin cantilevers over a Scottish lochRock Cove, Cameron Webster Architects’ contemporary cabin in Argyll, Scotland, makes the most of its wild setting
