The Grade I listed Bristol Old Vic is Britain’s longest continuously-operating theatre. The Anniversary Works provides a radical transformation of the foyers and front of house areas, also upgrading the studio theatre facilities.

The original 1766 Cooper’s Hall building is re-emphasised by replacing the adjacent 1970’s addition with a much more transparent foyer infill. This provides views through to reveal the original main Theatre wall, unseen for decades.

The design improves the heating system efficiency, adding a contribution from air source heat pumps, and improving the insulation standards for the new build parts.

The project provides a new catering kitchen and new general and production lighting for the front of house.

The studio is predominantly naturally-ventilated with a pre-cooling labyrinth, and the systems all interface with the existing back-of-house and main Theatre installations.

The project started on site in 2016 - the 250th anniversary of the theatre - and was handed over at the end of 2018.