Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design the National Theatre of Scotland's headquarters, bringing together various departments previously scattered across several buildings. In keeping with the company’s brand of a 'Theatre Without Walls' - a commitment to performing to diverse geographic audiences, with Scotland as its stage - this new facility, Rockvilla, will not host public performances, but rather is a creative engine room for the Company. Rockvilla will facilitate their expansion nationally and internationally, and will continue to reinvigorate a part of Glasgow that is fast becoming its cultural quarter.
This redevelopment of a disused industrial warehouse on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal provides: three rehearsal rooms of varying scales, a learning and community suite, wardrobe department, production workshop and technical store; plus office space and social areas.
The building is clad in sinusoidal metal, arranged in four horizontal bands. This produces a composed and calm façade that maintains an industrial aesthetic in keeping with the history of the site, and the vision of a “creative factory”. Use of a limited palette of materials internally with an exposed steel structure continues the raw aesthetic, while meeting the performance requirements of a modern theatre company. The project completed late 2016, and officially opened in early 2017.