Client: The Lyric Theatre

The Lyric Theatre in Belfast occupies a challenging sloping site at the junction of the city’s brick streetscape and the River Lagan parkland. Designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, the theatre responds sensitively to its urban and landscape context while replacing a substandard 1960s building.

The imagery highlights the theatre’s durable materials and finely crafted detailing. The building features three acoustically isolated brick “boxes” for the Auditorium, Studio, and Rehearsal spaces, arranged to optimize sightlines, intimacy, and audience experience. Transparent social areas flow around the fixed volumes, while the timber-lined interiors accommodate performance, lighting, and acoustic requirements.

The Studio provides a flexible 6m-high brick-lined space for a variety of performance styles, with a sliding picture window connecting street and theatre. The Rehearsal Room overlooks the River Lagan, roof-lit to enhance acoustics for readings and recitals. The building’s fabric—Belfast brick, hardwood timber, and stone—extends into bespoke furniture and public interiors, crafting a theatre that integrates seamlessly with the city and landscape.

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