harmony haven | leith theatre.

During my fourth year I set out to challenge myself, pushing outwith my comfort zone to see how much I was capable of achieving. This culminated in a series of five elements to the site of leith theatre, each focused on exploring a separate sensory element, creating spaces to be enjoyed by the wider community. 

This project reimagines Leith Theatre as a dynamic cultural hub, seamlessly blending heritage with contemporary design to foster inclusivity, creativity, and community engagement. By introducing a new architectural intervention, the project strengthens the theatre’s role as a vital gathering space, ensuring it remains accessible and inspiring for all.

A key feature of the design is the new gateway structure, a striking yet complementary addition that serves as a beacon for Leith. Acting as an extension of the existing theatre, it provides flexible community spaces, including rehearsal rooms, an intimate performance venue, an exhibition area, and a café—each designed to encourage artistic expression and social interaction. Circulation throughout the building is carefully choreographed, guiding visitors on an experiential journey that enhances engagement with the architecture and its surroundings.

Emblematic elements from the original theatre are reinterpreted throughout the site, reinforcing a sense of continuity and identity. The distinctive circular windows of the historic theatre are echoed in new openings, framing curated views of the city and creating a dialogue between past and present. Similarly, the use of curved walls—both in the new intervention and within the adapted theatre spaces—establishes a sense of fluidity and enclosure, offering moments of refuge while maintaining openness. Cast concrete floors and encased stairways further define movement, ensuring a tactile and immersive spatial experience.

This project is more than an architectural transformation—it is a cultural catalyst, reconnecting Leithers with their heritage while providing a platform for future artistic expression. By embracing the sensory and social dimensions of space, it creates an inviting and inspiring environment where community, creativity, and identity converge.