Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

Liverpool's Everyman and Playhouse Theatre's newly rebuilt building opened it's doors in March 2014 following a huge, firework laden, opening parade which featured performers and hundreds of lanterns lighting the streets along with a choir and light and pyrotechnics show. 

The original building was built in the nineteenth century and began life as Hope Hall chapel, being converted in 1964 to open as the original Playhouse Theatre. 

James & Taylor created bespoke aluminium facade panels adorning the outside of the building, which represents the people of Liverpool. Each of the 105 illuminated aluminium panels rotate, featuring a portrait of a different person on each of the panels, giving a visual representation of the meaning of the iconic Everyman sign below. The monochrome portraits on the aluminium panels feature an every man and woman from Liverpool, who were chosen from thousands of local people who attended open photo shoot sessions.

The building was designed by Haworth Tompkins, RIBA Stirling Prize nominated architects, who have worked with James & Taylor on a previous project, The Young Vic Theatre. 

As well as being a public work of art, the panels act as sunshades and work with 4 ventilation funnels to keep the building cool, whilst keeping the carbon footprint low.