The completed theatre is not only a space for performance but a fully integrated production house. The facility includes a 379-seat main playhouse, a 130–150-seat studio theatre, rehearsal and education spaces, workshops for set building, costume and props creation, and front-of-house amenities including a café and bar. Unlike many theatres, The Court remains a producing theatre, meaning all creative elements from lighting and sound to sets and costumes are developed in-house, on site - an extraordinary cultural asset for New Zealand.

The main auditorium is configured as a courtyard theatre - compact, intimate and flexible, enabling a wide range of productions and reinforcing the close relationship between performers and audience. The second, smaller studio theatre allows for experimental and community-driven work, increasing opportunities for diverse storytelling and engagement.

At the heart of the design is a commitment to openness, visibility, and connectivity. Public and production areas are connected physically and visually, allowing audiences to witness the creative process. Key back-of-house functions are intentionally exposed or partially visible to the public, reinforcing a sense of shared creative endeavour and transparency. The building layout supports a dynamic flow of people and ideas, structured around the central auditorium.

The structure is formed of a mix of mass timber, steel, and concrete, combining the warmth and sustainability of timber with the strength and resilience of steel and concrete. Timber is used throughout the interior to create a welcoming, tactile atmosphere while also acting as a natural humidity regulator, absorbing and releasing moisture as needed. The mass timber structure plays a key role in the building’s sustainability - unlike conventional construction materials, mass timber locks in carbon throughout its lifespan, storing it as embodied carbon and contributing to the building’s overall environmental performance.

The façade integrates robust and contextual materials that respond to the preponderance of glass and aluminium facades in the post-quake rebuild of Otautahi Christchurch. They are scaled and proportioned to acknowledge the neighbouring heritage buildings, while carefully placed glazing connects interior spaces to the public realm and surrounding precinct.

Supporting Haworth Tompkins and Athfield Architects, Charcoalblue developed the theatre’s specialist technical design, the building is the first in New Zealand to incorporate powered f lying systems, allowing for greater technical capability and staging versatility. Throughout, the facility has been designed to meet high standards of accessibility and performance, with a clear emphasis on inclusivity and future-proofing.

The new Court Theatre restores a vital part of Otautahi Christchurch’s identity, serves as a hub for artistic production, and acts as a catalyst for the continued development of the central city’s arts precinct. Sustainability, inclusivity and innovation have been embedded in every aspect of the project, from material choices to spatial organisation and technical infrastructure.

The completion of The Court Theatre marks the beginning of a new era for performing arts in Otautahi Christchurch. It is a building shaped by collaboration, driven by creativity, and rooted in resilience, a space where the city’s stories will be created, shared, and celebrated for generations to come.