Architecture Tour at the National Theatre

Every city has at least one building which make in people extreme feelings. The National Theatre is this kind of place in London. Some people call it the last great buiding of the age of public sector architecture, others the nuclear power station. One thing is for sure. You can love it or you can hate it but definitely, you can not be indifferent.

The National Theatre is located in South Bank of the Thames, just 5 mins walk from the Big Ben and London Eye. But it is not the first location for it. Originally, the building was supposed to be erected in West End - the theatres district.

The National Theatre is designed by Danis Lasdum. He came at interview on 25th October 1963 without design team or the first sketches. He even didnt have expirience in designing theatres. Instead of them he had head full of ideas. His vision was consistent with the vision of current director of the theatre - Laurence Olivier. And just like that 49 years old architect has got a contract to built the National Theatre and National Opera. Unfortunately, the financial problem let him finish only the first one. The same problem has made that the National Theatre has builded for seventeen years.

Perhaps you are wondering what the vision was. Ladsun was fascinated about building as a part of landscape and townscape. He created dialogue between his construction and the world around. Moreover, he has seen people as a part of this creation, Do you think that he accomplished his goals? This is what I would like to analise today.

1. Landscape

How I mentioned before the National Theatre is located on the river bank and the main dialog is between river and the building. First thing which we can notice is terraces shelving up to the river. They look a bit like geological strata uncover by the passage of some ancient glacier. When you will see it for a first time, it may seem familiar. It is because Frank Loyds Wright has done the same to built conection between nature and the 'falling water'.

The second thing which makes building closer to the river is material. Ladsun decided to use concrete. Popular material among madernist architects. But if we will have a look on pages of history, we can find another examples which shows that concrete was using in all ages. The Panteon - ancient Rome temple - is made by concrete. The same materials was used to build Haghia Sophia in Istambul. Ladsun chose it not because of the spirit of the time. In his opinian it was the best choise for this place. Concrete is mixed from sand, cement, gravel and water. The proportion of the mixture was create specialy for NT to gave the concrete the colour Ladsun wanted. Probably only architect can tell you that it is not just gray. It isn't cold gray or blue-gray. The tones in it are of river mud and sand. How he explain: 'I want the building to be... part of the nature by the Tames... It will weather and become as though it's an extencion of the river banks. That's a bit romantik, but that's what it will look like.'

The London studio Haworth Tompkins has refurbishment the Nation Theatre. One of the stage of the proces was addition of an all-new aluminum-clad theater production facility. The team of designer decided to continue the dialogue with river. The walls of the building looks like wavy water.

2. Townscape

Ladsun wanted his building to be open extension of the city. Thus, the one of a role of terraces is comunication function. The stairs are located around the building so you can easly move from Woterloo Bridge to promenade or any othe direction. Thus when you are walking around the National Theatre you can lost your way and suddenly, find yourself out of building.

Another thing that connect NT to the town is opportunity to contemplate the view of the river bank. You can see London Eyes, Somerset House, the Shard and many more icon buildings of London.

The back of the building is a bit different then front. It is made by the same concrete but on the back architect gave it shape of bricks. In 60' behind the building was located the residential area and the houses was made by bricks. This is how Ladsum wanted to start dialogs between NT and neighbourhood.

3. People

The main idea of the bulding was to make a theatre for everyone and stop the belief that theatre is only entertaiment for rich middle class. Now, we need to came back to concrete. The is another reason why architect has chosen this material. He wanted to built the place where everyone would feel good, without decorative ornamental which was used in another theatres. He said: I don't want anything to come between people experiencing the theatre and your drama. They have in a way to use the concrete reality of the building, not tarted up in any way. It must just be space, walls, light. And the ornaments of the building are people moving around.'

Ladsun didn't want to design just a theatre. He want to create public space for everyone. He believed that the pedestrian should have the same right to pass by to the theatre like to walk in the street. His terraces became a stage where evryone can feel like an actor. Also, the building inside was designed in the same way. Ladsun decided to dispose of corner to give people opportunity for looking on each other. You can not go into hiding.

Danis Ladsun has set three goals - to create connection between his building and landscape, townscape and people. I hope, I prove you that he has achieved all of them. We can discuss about visual advantages of the building, but one is for sure - the National Theatre is a good public space. If you are going to visit London, it should be "must to see" on your list.

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