The Golden Thread

The Golden Thread is a year-long, live client project for Leith Theatre. The theatre can be seen as a symbol of Leith, its long life perfectly mirroring its “Persevere” motto. The building, a gift from the City of Edinburgh to Leith, generally fits the needs of a current performance space, with main challenges being small Back of House facilities and multifaceted appeal. During conversations with the clients, it became clear they were looking to  ensure that the theatre continues to be significant for the community. 
Because of this, The Golden Thread proposed to restore the existing building in its current condition, instead adding a new extension to form a unique route from street to stage. This extension, a "Pipeline to the Arts", contained every element of theatre, from education to rehearsal to set-production. Carefully stitched into the existing building, the new building also offers the theatre both a street-facing cafe and a more exclusive restaurant for increased financial viability, along with the Back of House facilities that improve the function and lifespan of the space.