Subsequent to winning a competition to revamp Oldham Coliseum in 2013, Dutch practice Mecanoo has submitted plans to transform the building into a new heritage centre and theatre.

Mecanoo, which has offices in nearby Manchester as well as overseas, had a busy year in 2014. Back in February, Francine Houben, Mecanoo’s creative director and founding partner was awarded Woman Architect of the Year 2014. Following this, one of the practices’ largest UK projects, the Library of Birmingham, went on to win 5 RIBA awards and was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize.

Working in conjunction with Oldham Council, this project will see Oldham Coliseum morph into an arts and heritage destination for the surrounding area. The scheme, when complete, will provide two theatre auditoria with 550 and 100 seats respectively. The site will have state of the art facilities, including a heritage centre with public research spaces, galleries, archives, bars and meeting spaces.

The project is part of a wider plan to transform Oldham town centre. Once planning is approved it is hoped that funding bids (made to the Arts Council and English Heritage) will be successful and construction will start on-site in 2016.