Haworth Tompkins, alongside Finnish Architecture studio ARCO have been selected as winners of an invited architectural design competition for the rebuilding and part refurbishment of a theatre in Kouvola Finnland. The competition included five submissions and was decided by a panel of judges and a public vote which took place during a 2-week exhibition in November 2023 where all entries were open to the public. According to Riku Hämäläinen, the operation manager of the Kouvola theatre, the theatre staff were also in favour of the winning proposal. The winning proposal ‘Kouvo’, proposes an exemplar world class theatre through a bold sustainable transformation that both respects the integrity and cultural history of the existing buildings while radically opening up the theatre to the city, creating a strong cultural landmark for Kouvola.
The proposal retains the existing 1950s community education building and sports hall by the local architect Eero A. Kajava and rebuilds the adjacent 1960s Theatre. The historic and new building together will form the improved and extended theatre complex. The classrooms and sports hall of the historic community centre will be transformed into generous administration, dressing room and workshop spaces as well as the new studio theatre. A new state of the art 400 seat auditorium and stage together with the public main foyer will be built on the site of the old theatre bringing Kouvola’s theatre infrastructure into the 21st century. The judges commended the proposals for their innovative, sustainable and modern approach while respecting the integrity, spirit and culture of the original buildings and surrounding area creating a strong Kouvola identity.
“We are thrilled to be selected as winners alongside our Finnish design partners ARCO to develop proposals for the redevelopment of Kouvola Theatre. Our design aims to draw on the architectural and cultural memory of the buildings whilst radically transforming the production spaces and stages and opening up the foyer to the city.” Roger Watts, Director Haworth Tompkins
Following the announcement of £10m investment from the Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to undertake critical infrastructure repairs to the Grade I listed Royal Festival Hall, we are delighted to announce our appointment to work with the Southbank Centre on the next phases of this landmark project.
Tendring Cochester Borders Garden Community wins Pineapple Award for Future Place over 20ha!
Haworth Tompkins is thrilled to be working with Ashford Borough Council on the transformation of the former Odeon cinema building into a vibrant new cultural and community venue in the heart of Ashford.
Pembroke Mill Lane in Cambridge has won one of 21 National Civic Trust Awards from more than 300 entries.
In the first of three articles for the NLA - Tom Gibson and Hannah Constantine, Associate Directors at Haworth Tompkins, reflect on the growing role of mass timber in contemporary architecture.
A major milestone has been reached with the submission of planning for the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community in Essex for our client Latimer by Clarion Housing, with Haworth Tompkins leading the collaborative design team.
Planning permission has been secured for the transformation of 980 Great West Road in Brentford, marking a major milestone for the reuse-led redevelopment of the former GSK headquarters.
Brilliant news that the redevelopment of the Warburg Institute has been shortlisted for a RIBA London (West) Award.
The Warburg Renaissance Project transformed the Warburg Institute into a more open, accessible and public-facing institution, revealing hidden collections to new audiences and the public for the first time in its history, expanding capacity for 20 years of future growth and securing its cultural legacy through sensitive restoration, sustainable design and improved facilities for research, teaching and public engagement.
| 30.10.25 | Construction Reaches Topping Off Milestone for the New Home of the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University → |
| 28.07.25 | Haworth Tompkins reveals plans for the redevelopment of Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion → |
| 13.05.25 | Haworth Tompkins to lead design of affordable housing in £2.5 Billion York Central Regeneration → |