The Lowry by David Tatham
The Lowry - A tribute to the late British northern artist L. S. Lowry in the heart of the recently developed Salford Quays in Manchester, England, is the Lowry Theatre which celebrates its 10th anniversary on 28 April 2010. When it opened in 2000 it was, and still is, an architectural masterpiece that has a dynamic and unique identity. With its metal and glass surfaces, the building was designed to mirror the surrounding waterways and landscapes.
The aim of the project was to bring together all kinds of visual arts and entertainment under one roof. With a strong emphasis on educational theater, the Lowry provides the community with an opportunity to develop talent and creativity. There are a number of cafes, bars and restaurants which provide spectacular views of the waterside and the Manchester Ship Canal.
There are two main theaters, as well as a studio area for performing arts. The two theatres can seat 1730 and 466 people respectively, while the studio can seat 180 people. The three venues provide an all-encompassing range of entertainment.
The many genres include opera, drama, dance, ballet, children's shows, musicals, folk music, jazz and contemporary music. There are also art ##################, the main one exhibiting the works of L. S. Lowry, after whom the complex is named. Modern pieces by other artists are also on show.
The layout entices visitors to enjoy and explore all the facilities housed in the building. An open ramp, with dramatic views, links the ################## and the theater foyers to create a walkway around the entire building, generating an atmosphere of festivity, anticipation and theatricality.
The building is an imposing landmark, and any visitor to the United Kingdom cannot fail to be impressed. It is more than just a tourist attraction. From the building, you can walk down to the Imperial War Museum on the Trafford Wharf. The Lowry project also includes the DWC (Digital World Center) which is a hi-tech center providing quality business services.
The building is triangular and covers the size of five football fields. During construction, 48, 000 tons of concrete, 5263 square meters of glass, and 2460 tons of steel were used. It rests on more than 800 concrete piles which were sunk into the ground.
The exterior view of the Lowry is ship-like, particularly when seen from the other side of the canal. This maritime theme also extends into the interior. The tower even has porthole windows, as well as landings and stairways that resemble a ship's gangway. The innovative architecture includes a number of geometrical shapes such as rectangles, triangles, circles, and hexagons.
Another feature of Michael Wilford's architecture is the many spaces that have layered designs, resembling an onion. They are decorated with bright colors. The first layer is stainless steel and glass which forms the 'skin' on the outside to reflect the water and sky. Then there's blue terrazzo flooring in the foyer finished with silver lines that represent the latitudinal and longitudinal lines of a nautical map.
The Lowry strives to serve the community and, to this end, it offers many workshops to stimulate creativity and education. It is a registered charity, only taking 15% of revenue generated by the public. For each one pound of public money received, the Lowry has to raise another seven pounds to continue its work in the theaters and ##################.Topics related articles：
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