The new Oldham Coliseum Theatre forms the cornerstone of Oldham’s developing Cultural Quarter, a catalyst to the wider regeneration of Oldham. The project sees the Coliseum move from its much loved but outgrown home on a backstreet to a more prominent location on the towns’ historic Union Street, adjacent to a new Heritage and Arts Centre, also designed by Mecanoo.
The existing Coliseum grew out of Oldham’s prosperity during the industrial revolution when the town was the centre of the world’s cotton industry. Since then the Coliseum has become renowned for its intimate and friendly atmosphere, as well as the quality of its shows.
The design seeks to capture the ‘spirit of the Coliseum’ in a new facility which allows the Coliseum to extend their offer with more experimental performances, an expanded educational programme, and by facilitating the cross-pollination of ideas and fusing connections between people.
Taking inspiration from Oldham’s rich industrial heritage, the facades contrast the colour and texture of anodised aluminium and bricks in a recessed special brick bond to reference original Oldham cotton patterns. Inside a series of key spaces that each have their own distinct identity, continue the intimate and cosy atmosphere of the existing Coliseum within much larger spaces.