Unveiling the Spectacular $292 Million Arts Center: A Captivating Journey into the Heart of UK's Cultural Renaissance

"Despite its unconventional nature, I will be taking you to a rather unique area - the toilets," stated Ellen van Loon, the accomplished Dutch architect responsible for constructing the UK's largest arts and culture center since the Tate Modern in 2003. Van Loon enthusiastically points to the corner of the spacious unisex restroom and mentions the presence of a DJ. "Every space has potential for performances, even the toilets," she added.

This grand concept serves as the foundation for Aviva Studios, an ambitious architectural project that has been in the works for eight years. Its aim is to propel the performing arts to new heights, as Van Loon expressed. With an estimated cost of £240 million (approximately $292 million), one may anticipate this cultural hub to be an illustrious gem in the heart of the UK capital. However, this impressive 13,350 square foot post-industrial structure is situated in the bustling city of Manchester, approximately 200 miles north of London.

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Investments of this nature are uncommon in the northern region of England. Recently, the UK government made the announcement that it would no longer pursue plans to connect Manchester to the rest of the country through the high-speed railway line HS2, which is currently the largest infrastructure project in Britain. Furthermore, the arts sector in the region has experienced a gradual decrease in government funding over the past decade. However, there is hope for increased spending in the area, as Arts Council England, a charity and public organization sponsored by the UK's Department of Culture, disclosed its plans to allocate £383.5 million to 282 arts organizations in the northern part of the UK between 2023 and 2026. Additionally, Arts Council England has committed to an annual investment of £9.9 million in Aviva Studios until 2026.

The performing arts space is located in the center of Manchester, in the north of England.

During a press tour prior to the official opening of the building, Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, referred to the project as "a long-standing aspiration." Addressing international journalists, she highlighted Manchester's historical significance during the Industrial Revolution over 100 years ago and expressed optimism that projects like Aviva Studios would contribute to the city regaining its prominence.

The walls are always in the way

Rather than conforming to the trend of glossy new buildings, Van Loon aimed to preserve the unique features of Manchester. She collaborated with OMA, a Rotterdam-based architectural firm, on noteworthy projects such as Portugal's Casa de Música, the Qatar National Library in Doha, and the iconic CCTV tower in Beijing. Expressing her concern about the disappearance of post-industrial architecture, she stated, "I feared that the city would be transformed into just another anonymous regeneration endeavor." She firmly believes that each city should maintain its individuality instead of attempting to emulate others. Manchester, being the world's first industrial city, is distinctly characterized by its raw concrete exterior and exposed steel connections, paying homage to its historic legacy.

OMA secured the contract to create the arts and culture center in 2015, presenting a proposal that Van Loon completed in just 10 days. However, she acknowledges that there have been significant revisions to the initial plan. "We hadn't designed the back of house area," she revealed, referring to the part of the building that encompasses a green room, dressing rooms, and on-site offices. "We didn't even have a model, but we had a concept. It was truly just a concept."

The arts center's distinct characteristic lies in its capacity to integrate the individual theater and warehouse spaces, forming a vast unified area for performances.

The objective was to create a theater and exhibition space that offers complete adaptability, flexibility, and customization for artists and events. "Today, most performance venues are designed traditionally, with fixed seating areas. These spaces lack versatility," she explained. "The walls often cause problems because artists frequently desire to expand the sides or the back. This led us to the realization that while some walls are necessary, it is crucial to position them in a way that minimizes obstruction."

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Entering Aviva Studios, you will encounter a dynamic and versatile environment. Much of the space is designed for flexibility, allowing for temporary or removable elements. This is made possible by a massive canopy of ceiling rigs that envelop the two main performance spaces: "the Warehouse" and "the Hall." Within the warehouse, a complex grid system can support various set designs, performers, and production apparatus, with an impressive working weight capacity of 200 tonnes.

Es Devlin installed a hanging set design in the warehouse for Aviva Studio's first live performance.

Marco Cappelletti/Courtesy of OMA and Factory International

Reaching almost 69 feet in height, the warehouse offers the flexibility to be transformed into various types of spaces. Additionally, it is spacious enough to accommodate a Boeing 747 aircraft. On October 13, the warehouse served as a futuristic runway for "Trainspotting" director Danny Boyle's interpretative dance performance titled "Free Your Mind," inspired by the timeless 1999 classic "The Matrix." This captivating concept was conceived by Es Devlin, a renowned British stage designer, who suspended a soft white circular wall inside the warehouse. Two white portholes positioned at each end of the runway opened into the wall, creating distinct stage areas for the dancers. Above, a large block of LED screens descended from the grid, adding an immersive, three-dimensional element to the space. The suspended set design, rather than being built from the ground up, contributed to the unique ambiance and forward-thinking approach that Van Loon envisions for her building.

During one number staged inside the theater, the acoustic wall was removed to open the space into the warehouse behind.

Marco Cappelletti/Courtesy of OMA and Factory International

There is also a more traditional theater hall available that can accommodate approximately 1,600 people. The seating capacity is approximate because the hall has a flexible design. The fixed balcony can hold 640 seats, while the 323 seats on the lower level can be removed to create more standing space. Additionally, the stage can transform into a sunken pit that can accommodate an 80-piece orchestra.

The majority of the walls in Aviva Studios, designed by Van Loon, are also removable. The highlight of the building is its unique ability to connect the warehouse and hall spaces. A 36-feet-high detachable acoustic wall separates these areas, allowing for simultaneous events. This architectural achievement was showcased during Boyle's opening night. As the lead dancer captivated the audience in a stunning Gareth Pugh-designed red dress, the back of the stage gradually rose up like a giant curtain, revealing a hidden depth that transformed the stage into a street-like setting.

The warehouse is 69 meters high and can fit a Boeing 747 inside its length.

According to Van Loon, it is uncommon for a client to accept a new concept proposed by him without questioning if it has been done before. However, he believes that this building, despite receiving mixed feedback from users, serves as an illustration of how things can be approached differently.