Over the next couple of weeks I propose to take a closer look some of this year's Stirling Prize shortlisted projects. Today is the turn of the Lyric theatre in Belfast, by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects.
The site is steeply sloping from some residential streets towards its river front location. Ultimately it is a fitting site for the only repertory theatre in Northern Ireland, but it is also a residential area creating a clash of scales between the 2 up, 2 down terrace houses, and the large volumes of the auditorium and fly tower.
Internally, there is a high-level foyer with an impressive view over the river. But it is the auditorium that is most spectacular. It has a wonderfully faceted interior. Each facet is lined with a red wood whose direction of grain changes with the surface. The effect is warm, rich and deep.
And what about the acoustics? We are told; warm, rich and deep too.
