The Court Theatre | Christchurch

Christchurch’s flagship professional theatre company, The Court Theatre, has opened its new purpose-built home in the heart of the city’s performing arts precinct.

Location: Christchurch | Size: 3,700m²

Designed through an international collaboration between London-based Haworth Tompkins and New Zealand’s Athfield Architects, the theatre is a cultural landmark that seamlessly blends operational flexibility with the warmth and energy of a bustling theatre.

Aspect worked closely with The Court Theatre team and Athfield Architects to supply the majority of the furniture fit-out, delivering to tight deadlines while meeting the diverse needs of office, hospitality, public, and back-of-house spaces. With a strong commitment to local manufacturing, the furniture solutions support flexible functionality, fostering creativity and collaboration while ensuring privacy.

The furniture selection echoes the building’s architectural character, with natural finishes, curved forms, and layered materials complementing the exposed timber structure and black steel framework. Throughout the open, light-filled foyer and surrounding spaces, the furniture brings a distinctly theatrical and artistic flavour that reinforces the venue’s creative mission.

A mix of locally manufactured soft seating, custom joinery, tables, and workstations supports a full spectrum of theatre operations, from dressing rooms to open-plan workspaces and vibrant social zones. One bespoke boardroom table preserves the theatre’s original hardwood tabletop with its legacy floor plan markings, honouring the venue’s history.

The result is a cohesive environment that balances artistry with practicality. Every element was thoughtfully designed to reflect The Court Theatre’s unique identity while supporting the daily rhythm of a working theatre, creating a space that truly serves as Christchurch’s vital cultural anchor.

Furniture included

Agility pedestal tables, Banquette seating, Custom Agility tilting tables, Custom boardroom table, Drift soft seating, Lilah chairs, Merano bar stools, Merano chairs, Outdoor furniture, Pebble laptop tables, Peekaboo stools, Sector 2 table, Studio Pod, Trill bistro chairs, WorkTotes, Y Shelving, Zone task chairs, Zurich+ workstations. 

Ton Merano chairs and stools were selected to complement the front-of-house space. Offering durable, versatile seating to accommodate a high-traffic mix of café diners, visitors, staff, function guests, and theatregoers.

Banquette seating offers comfortable, customisable built-in solutions that maximises space and enhances style.

Back-of-house areas includes custom Drift modules, providing practical, tailored solutions for dressing rooms and operational spaces.

A bespoke boardroom table thoughtfully preserves the theatre’s existing hardwood tabletop, complete with its legacy floor plan markings. The reimagined design honours the theatre’s rich history for future generations.

The focused workspace features Y Shelving, chosen for its flexible open design that efficiently divides space while maintaining a sense of connection.