National Theatre Green Store

This project in Bermondsey brings together all of the National Theatre’s props, costumes and technical storage for the first time. It enables the theatre to access, repair, and hire the pieces to others from a convenient location while increasing use of the valuable archive and reducing their carbon footprint.

Reed Watts worked with the theatre’s team to test the feasibility of moving into the existing storage building. A new mezzanine was required to increase the overall building area from 3,400 to 4,600 sqm giving space for over 2km of clothes rails and 15,000 sqm of shelving.

As well as storage, the building provides office, laundry and workshop space for the NT’s on-site team. A new platform lift provides access to the new mezzanine. Works also included new heating and ventilation systems throughout to reduce energy use as well as electric charging for electric lorries. Solar panels on the roof further help to reduce carbon use.

Reed Watts helped to advise the client in negotiations with the landlord for CAT A works, then liaised with the mezzanine contractor, fit-out contractor and racking contractor.

Photos: Pete Goding