Future Yard
Birkenhead
Services
- Architecture
- Interiors
Team
- Client: Future Yard
- Contractor: Various and Full Circle Workplace
- Project Management and Cost: KAM Consultancy
- Structures: Elliot Bond Consultancy
- Audio/Visual: Adlib
Area
- Phase 01: 1,060 sqm
- Phase 02: 1,200 sqm
Cost
- Phase 01: £500,000
- Phase 02: £2,200,000
Project Overview
Future Yard is a building that re-imagines the role of a live music venue, providing live industry training and a regional hub for artist development. AE were employed initially to create a brand-new 250-capacity space within the existing building. The new community venue has brought some of today’s most exciting national and international artists to Birkenhead, while at the same time providing key early performance opportunities for emerging local musicians.
Future Yard 1.0 was an imaginative and low budget renovation of an existing building and surrounding spaces. The existing building has been creatively adapted to allow a live venue, rehearsal spaces, office accommodation, shared workspaces, gallery, cafe bar and garden areas to operate concurrently and seamlessly.
Future Yard 2.0 started on site in 2026 and comprises an extension to the existing building to create a 600 capacity venue physically connected to the existing building and venue by a brand new studio complex. With a purpose built backstage area including a platform lift for stage access, raked seating, and raised viewing platforms, this is not just a bigger venue – it is a permanent, accessible, environmentally responsible cultural engine – unlocking opportunity, skills, confidence and joy for local people for generations to come.
The connecting building houses 12 acoustically treated, dedicated music studios and teaching spaces for Future Yard’s trainees, new schools music curriculum and other ambitious schools partnerships to increase skills in the area. Aesthetically the bold brand colours are utilised externally and internally in this confident adaptation. This project is a key component of the Wirral Council 2040 Framework.
“We have successfully and collaboratively worked with Architectural Emporium over a number of years developing schemes for funding, refurbishing existing spaces and now delivering significant new additions to Future Yard. Their experience in the arts, charity and hospitality sectors has been invaluable as they are able to work flexibly and creatively to produce what is needed to gain funding and deliver affordable and functional space, with cost and value focussed in the right areas.”
Craig Pennington, Co Founder and CEO, Future Yard
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