The Theatre has seen a £25.6 Million rebuild which has transformed the venue to hopefully become one of the UKs leading theatre venues. The Marlowe now boasts and impressive 1200 capacity, with an additional second auditorium which can hold approximately 150 people seated.

The project has been funded by the owners, their fundraising and sponsorship activities, Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council and SEEDA. The Theatre is expected to bring over £20 Million per year to the local community, proving a worthwhile investment by all involved.

The opening weekend includes an introductory array of free music and street theatre during the Saturday and Sunday. In addition The Weekend see’s the Theatres first two tours in the evenings, with performances from Stephen Merchant, most famously recognised for his involvement with Ricky Gervais in the Office and Extras, as well as highly renowned poet Pam Ayre.

The building designed by architect Keith Williams, provided opportunities for varying construction methods and external finishes. Due to the complexity of the build and varying contracts involved, Lawtech, as specialist façade installers, where employed for their expertise. The multiple substrate construction made a standard rail insulation and finish system impossible. Keith Davies, Technical Manager at STO stated, “A standard rail system may not have easily come across the substrate”. Suppliers STO’s innovative Rotofix Plus system was therefore employed for this job.

This system, the first of its kind to be installed in the UK, allows a mechanical fix of insulation to a frame structure, with a cavity created behind. The fantastic benefit to this system was its adjustability to provide a plum and perfect level line finish. STO supported Lawtech with training and guidance as together this new system was installed. Jon Sacara, Technical Manager at Lawtech whom was heavily involved was pleased with the outcome saying, “This project provided many challenges in not only accessibility of the site, but adventurous design. Nevertheless we was confident in the STO Rotofix Plus system and I think it is fair to say that all parties involved are more than happy with the finish that has been achieved”.

As the new Marlowe Theatre doors open and that first curtain raises, for all its theatrics, music and culture that will be forthcoming to its stage, it must be said that the design that has led to the use of many innovative products and systems and a performance worthy of standing ovation, by all those construction workers employed in completing the job.

Lawtech is one of the largest installers of external wall insulation systems across the UK with offices in Rochester and Glasgow. Lawtech is UKAS accredited to ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 and is an active member of both the NIA & INCA.

Lawtech is able to act as a Principal Contractor on multi million pound “green” retrofit schemes installing and managing multiple energy saving measures, and in addition as a specialist façade contractor working with other contractor partners. We are able to offer advice and assistance in respect to grants and funds schemes available under CERT, CESP and from 2013 Green Deal.