Irish architecture firm O’Donnell + Tuomey has unveiled Sadler’s Wells East, a new dance theatre located in Stratford, London. This 550-seat venue, crafted with handmade Venetian bricks, is a testament to the area’s industrial heritage while serving as a contemporary arts hub.
Blending History and Modernity:
Sadler’s Wells East, part of the East Bank development at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, is the fourth venue for the iconic theatre company. The design draws on Stratford’s industrial history, featuring handmade clay bricks and tiles to create a timeless aesthetic. Its sawtooth roof symbolizes rhythmic dance movements and provides ample natural light.
“The building was designed to last and feel as if it has always belonged here,” explained John Tuomey, co-founder of O’Donnell + Tuomey.
The fly tower’s proportions mirror those of Sadler’s Wells’ Islington venue, ensuring seamless performance transfers.
Community and Performance Space:
The double-height foyer functions as a “public living room,” offering a café, bar, and adjustable dance floor for performances by community groups and artists. Inside, the theatre boasts retractable seating, black timber walls, and cork flooring, with the auditorium acoustically isolated through box-in-box construction.
Above the main auditorium, a spacious studio mirrors stage dimensions while providing additional room for choreographers to refine their art. Smaller studios, with views of surrounding parkland, complete the creative offerings.
