A venue which redefines live music and entertainment
A venue which redefines live music and entertainment
Pirajean Lees alongside Olly Bengough designed 16 new spaces, including a new roof terrace and restaurant, a cocktail bar in the existing dome, penthouse, piano room, library, vinyl rooms, a hidden speakeasy and stage kitchen.
The design references the theatre’s creative history throughout. Inspired by its bohemian heritage, ranging from its earliest music hall incarnation with Charlie Chaplin, to The Goon Show and Monty Python, to its time as a live music venue from the 1970s onwards featuring Rolling Stones, The Clash, Madonna, Prince and more.
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Taking further inspiration from how the theatre would have lived and breathed in its daily operations. Anchored in this strong narrative, each room has its own identity, reflecting elements to operate a theatre. The concept for KOKO elevates the notion of a music venue with a textural alchemy of the site's creative history, a mix of sensitivity, respect for the location and cultural legacy of the space.
From the Stage Kitchen which takes inspiration from the ironmongery; to the bathrooms, inspired by backstage hair and make-up rooms where performers would get ready. Influenced by the old screen-printing rooms, Ellen’s Jazz club features a hand-painted mural, whilst intimate vinyl rooms reference what could have been KOKO’s old lighting storage rooms.
Full Interior Design scheme, including layout, finishes, joinery, and furniture.
Architect: Archer Humphryes Architects
Photographer: Lesley Lau
