The Court Theatre, a joint project between the Christchurch City Council and the Court Theatre is rapidly taking shape on site in Christchurch, NZ. Designed in collaboration with local architects Athfield Architects with Christchurch firm, Ruamoko Solutions providing the structural engineering. Construction, which is led by main contractor Hawkins NZ, reached a critical milestone last year, with all engineered timber now in place. The Court Theatre’s aim was always to create an open-hearted building that expressively portrayed manaakitanga and whānaungatanga, a warm invitation and welcome to the community.
To achieve this goal, the design response makes use of engineered timber construction, selected for both the warmth that the material brings to the project, and the sustainability advantages. Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), Glue Laminated Timber and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mass timber technologies have been used in various ways throughout the structure. Processed by Redstag Timberlab, the timber elements were prefabricated in the North Island and installed on site by Kobe Construction, with extensive use of digital co-ordination to ensure a smooth assembly. This process sees New Zealand-grown and processed plantation pine converted into a high-value product. The volume of timber used sequesters an estimated 101 tonnes of CO2. Construction is continuing throughout 2024 as the new theatre is enclosed and internal services, fittings and fixtures get underway.
Haworth Tompkins has three projects shortlisted at this year’s Pineapple Awards: The Developer and Festival of Place, which celebrate excellence in placemaking. The shortlists demonstrate the strength of our approach to placemaking and collaborative design.
Unanimous planning permission has been granted for Troubadour Greenwich Peninsula, a new 3,000-capacity performance venue designed by Haworth Tompkins.
Haworth Tompkins Associate Director Ken Okonkwo has been reappointed as a Mayor’s Design Advocate (MDA) for the 2025–2028 term, marking his second appointment to the role.
2025 was a demanding year for the built environment, but also one of real momentum for Haworth Tompkins. Against a challenging economic and political backdrop, the practice continued to adapt, collaborate and deliver work of lasting value.
The £2 billion York Central regeneration project has submitted the latest planning application for the next stage of delivery and includes Haworth Tompkins designs for Foundry Village; a walkable, street-based neighbourhood designed that will deliver 368 mixed-tenure homes.
Theatr Clwyd has been shortlisted for Theatre Building of the Year at this year’s Stage Awards.
Pembroke Mill Lane, Cambridge and The Warburg Renaissance have been selected as Regional Finalists in the 2026 Civic Trust Awards and will now be considered for National Awards with the winners announced January 2026.
Haworth Tompkins has completed Backstage at the Old Vic, a new build six storey extension to the Grade II* listed Old Vic Theatre, in London’s Waterloo marking a bold new chapter in the theatre’s remarkable 200-year story.
| 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 → |