Curve Leicester

A 750-seat theatre and a 350-seat “black box” share a central flexible stage, which may also open towards the foyer. Awards of Curve Leicester: 2009 RIBA for the East Midlands region and 2010 International Architecture (Chicago Athenaeum and European Centre for Architecture, Art Design & Urban Studies).

Curve Leicester as seen from the street, with a view onto the 350-seat theatre. Photo © Kahle Acoustics

Information Sheet

New Build Curve www.curveonline.co.uk

Location Leicester, United Kingdom.

Project Cost £62 million (approximately 73 million € according to the opening year's conversion rate).

Time Frame Design: 2002-2005. Construction: 2005-2008. Opening: November 2008.

Owner Leicester City Council.

Architect(s) Rafael Viñoly, Rafael Viñoly Architects, New York/London www.vinoly.com

Theatre Planner(s) dUCKS Scéno, France www.ducks.fr

Seat Count Performing arts center with two theatres, one 750-seat Proscenium theatre and one 350-seat “black box”. The central stage in between the 2 theatres can be used for either one of the theatre rooms, or both — then becoming a single 1 100-seat performing hall —, or extended to the lobby, which then becomes yet another performing space. Acoustical isolation around this ultra flexible stage is partly provided through novel curtain and separation concepts. Total area 13 000 m².

Uses Theatre, musicals, experimental theatre, music performances.

Services Comprehensive acoustics consulting, from basic design through construction supervision and opening services.

Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager, Thomas Wulfrank, Site Supervision, Nathalie Faillet, Kahle Acoustics.