A concrete performance: conservation at the National Theatre

Abstract

Concrete conservation at the National Theatre was undertaken as part of National Theatre Future project, which included provision of new spaces to this grade II* historic listed building in London. The structure occupies a prime site on the South Bank, next to Waterloo Bridge and contains three separate theatres: the Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman. The structure received a Concrete Society award in 1977 and is considered to be one of the best examples of board-marked concrete. The architecture has been controversial; however, its form makes the structure functional and allows the theatre‘s supporting infrastructure to be fully used, as well as providing office and administrative spaces. The public areas contain exhibition spaces, food and drink outlets and meeting spaces. This paper looks at the challenges faced in dealing with concrete repair to an aging structure with a fine finished surface with significant heritage value, and how these were dealt with.