Factory International, Ellen van Loon, OMA: Space for Expression – Intersections in architecture

Book Tickets
Aviva Studios and Manchester skyline viewed from a distance
Date
29 Nov 2023
Venue
The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tickets
Standard tickets £15, Affordable tickets £7.50, £10 tickets

7–8.30pm

Book Tickets

Age Guideline: Suitable for ages 12+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+
Running time: 90 minutes

Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access

Hear first-hand about the design and development of Aviva Studios, by architect Ellen van Loon

Hosted in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), join us for a talk with Ellen van Loon as she gives a unique insight into the full potential of Aviva Studios as not only a performance space, but multi-functional cultural destination.

Ellen will be joined by our Artistic Director and Chief Executive, John McGrath, for an in-depth conversation and exploration behind the latest global destination for arts, music and culture.

Ellen, a partner at the international architectural practice OMA since 2002, has led award-winning building projects that combine sophisticated designs with precise execution. Operating within the traditional boundaries of architecture and urbanism, her global portfolio brings a wealth of experience across different projects and clients. Her designs for Aviva Studios draw on the site’s history, acknowledging the industrial past of Manchester, as well as its creative influences.

Key to the design of the building is its flexibility, offering a new type of performance space. It’s a unique crossover between a fixed theatre and open warehouse setting, conceived to create multiple opportunities and limitless configurations and environments.

At street level, the design’s created a significant area of public space along the River Irwell. The building’s concrete and corrugated metal facades stand against the surrounding refurbished brick buildings, offices and studio spaces that make up the new St John’s neighbourhood.

Experience the space first hand and hear from Ellen to understand more about the design and development of our new venue.

This event is part of the sponsored programme RIBA+VitrA talk series: Forms of Exchange – exploring the spaces in-between.

Photo by Alex Retegan, courtesy of OMA and Factory International.

Tickets

Factory International members on sale: 12pm, Wednesday 8 November 2023

General on sale: 12pm, Friday 10 November 2023

Access information

Our full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ and the what3words is chop.feeds.chase.

We're a new purpose-built cultural space in the heart of Manchester. The approach to Aviva Studios is flat, with smooth concrete flooring.

The entrance to our building is through double glass doors. There are automatic doors at both entrances and these are also staffed when the building is open to the public.

Once inside, there is step-free access to all areas of the venue. Lifts to the Warehouse are located through the glass doors beside the city entrance. Lift and escalator access to the Hall is located next to the river entrance, just beyond the brick arches.

You will first arrive into the Social, a large public space where there are a range of seats (including those with arms), a bar and toilets (including accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility).

The bars in the Social and Hall Foyer have lowered accessible service points, and induction loops for hearing-aid users.

There are accessible toilets on all public levels of our building.

Accessible toilets are located inside the main toilets space in the brick arches of the Social.

Here you’ll find a mixture of accessible cubicles with left- or right-hand transfer, as well as ambulant accessible cubicles with grab rails. This is also where you can find our Changing Places facility. The toilets in the brick arches of the Social are gender neutral, so you can use facilities in any of the three arches.

There are additional accessible toilets in located in both Hall Foyers, at stalls and circle level.

You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets at Aviva Studios.

Assistance dogs are welcome at Aviva Studios, and we can provide mats and water bowls on request, just ask a host when you arrive. We can also take care of your assistance dog if you are attending a ticketed event and do not want to take your dog into the performance space. If you’re bringing an assistance dog to this event and would like us to make arrangements to care for them, you’re welcome to let us know by contacting access@factoryinternational.org or calling our access phone number: 0161 817 4531 (phone lines are open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Travel information

Aviva Studios can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).

Our closest stations are:

Salford Central station: 0.4 miles

Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles

St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles

Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios

Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios

Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.

Free bus services stop at all city-centre stations, and near to Aviva Studios along Deansgate, Bridge St and Quay St. Buses on these free routes are wheelchair accessible. For full details of the free bus routes, please visit the TfGM website.

There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from Aviva Studios at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.

There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from Aviva Studios at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.

There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.

For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.

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