20 Years of Crafting Experiences Across Stages and Beyond

Celebrating Two Decades of Charcoalblue’s Legacy and Future

In the theatre world, every successful show builds on an ensemble of talents – set designers, lighting experts, directors, and many others working in harmony. For Charcoalblue, it’s not so different. What began as a consultancy dedicated to theatre design in 2004 has evolved into a global team that transforms spaces across diverse sectors. We’re thrilled to share the story of this journey in our new book, a collection of our work, philosophy, and the ideas that have driven us for 20 years.

In nearly 200 pages, this book covers Charcoalblue’s role in reimagining theatres and spaces worldwide, from intimate community venues to groundbreaking, adaptable venues and corporate environments. But this is more than a catalogue of spaces – it’s a story of how our team has continually pushed the boundaries of what design can achieve. As our projects expanded, so did our vision, from the first theatres we built to the immersive, complex experiential spaces we now shape.

Our Beginnings: From the Stage to New Spaces

We were born from a love of theatre, and it was no small feat. When Charcoalblue was established in 2004, our founding members worked on some of the most radical, complex and technically demanding theatres, such as London’s Young Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s pop-up Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Theatre design requires precision, resilience, and ingenuity – every detail matters, from acoustics to audience sightlines to the very materials used. In those early days, projects like the National Theatre’s Dorfman in London and later, St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, became our testbeds for innovation, redefining the relationships between actors, audiences, and space and technically supporting the work on stage.

Today, this adaptability and technical rigour serve as the backbone to our work around the world. What we’ve learned we now bring to all our sectors – music, entertainment, workplace, educational institutions, and public spaces.

Our growth from theatre to acoustics to experience consultancy didn’t happen overnight. It grew out of our commitment to creating spaces that go beyond function to inspire and transform. Our mindset cultivates innovation and creativity – and enables us to craft spaces that are just as impactful, whether for a performance, a meeting, or gathering.

Scaling the Unscalable – From Small Venues to Grand Halls

A common assumption is that we work exclusively with large, complex projects. And while we’re honoured to work on renowned projects like New York's Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), we’re equally passionate about designing for smaller spaces.

The book is filled with examples of both, such as the modest Ebert Room at Glyndebourne and the extensive overhaul of the Bristol Old Vic. The guiding principle remains the same: every space deserves thoughtful, transformative design, regardless of its scale or location.

Pioneering Adaptable Spaces

Our journey has also paralleled a shift toward adaptable, multifunctional spaces. For many clients, flexibility is now a priority, enabling venues to shift between configurations, changing capacities and uses with ease. Charcoalblue has embraced this philosophy from the outset, helping to pioneer flexible venues such as The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and the adaptable stages of Factory International in Manchester.

Projects like these make adaptability a core design tenet – both visually and technically. By creating moveable elements and rigging systems that can quickly alter a room’s function and shape, we enable spaces to evolve with their communities and audiences. From the very beginning, we’ve been committed to finding a design approach that works for everyone – producers, artists, and audiences alike.

Honouring and Evolving with Our Collaborations

Charcoalblue has had the privilege of partnering with incredible architects, producers, and artists. Some of these collaborations span years, allowing us to refine and perfect our approach. And we are always inspired by these relationships, our work with Haworth Tompkins has taken us both all around the world, with Marvel Design on some of the most ambitious projects in the States. These partnerships and the new ones we are just beginning to continue to shape our identity and pushed us to explore new horizons.

One of the things that sets Charcoalblue apart is our belief that the best spaces are the ones built on collaboration and collective vision. Over time, these relationships have helped us define and refine our role as “design catalysts,” enhancing the best ideas and raising the standards for what a space can be.

Looking Forward: Expanding Boundaries and Building Experiences

As we look ahead, Charcoalblue’s goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of experiential design. We will keep championing adaptable, inclusive, and technically brilliant spaces that serve people in surprising ways. We’re now a global team with studios across the US, UK, and Australia, with a portfolio that continues to grow across sectors and continents.

Our book not only reflects on Charcoalblue’s history but looks forward to the future. As we branch into new sectors, we will carry the heart of theatre with us, making sure every space we design feels as connected, immersive, and inspiring as our very first projects.