Apartment or building entrance with patchy brick wall, house number 24 plaque, electronic intercom or alarm system, and graffiti at the bottom on a gray panel.

24 Kitchen Street

Recycled bricks with graffiti still visibile

24 Kitchen Street stands as a Liverpool institution, renowned for its cult following and vibrant, eclectic music scene. When the venue sought to overcome challenges related to capacity, flexibility, and the activation of its first floor, HSA was brought on board to help.

The brief was to enable the venue to operate two club rooms across two floors, each acoustically isolated from the other and from neighbouring residences. This would allow both spaces to function independently, even at full capacity, while also exploring the potential for a rooftop terrace to maximize the venue’s offer. Crucially, the improvements needed to preserve the venue’s unique character, ensuring that regular patrons would notice no change to the atmosphere or experience upon reopening after Covid.

Refurbishment of independent music space

People socializing in a nightclub with a large disco ball, colorful lighting, and a bar area in the background.
Old brick building with peeling paint, a blue door, and a staircase entrance, surrounded by potted plants and a poster advertising an event in Manchester.

Given the site’s constraints, a thorough understanding of the building’s structural capabilities was essential. HSA assessed the load-bearing capacity of the original cast iron columns and floors, and developed an efficient fire escape strategy tailored to the space.

Despite the technical complexities, and through close collaboration with acoustic, fire, and structural consultants, the project delivered a seamless transformation and importantly was delivered in phases and on programme with the reopening after covid. The ground floor’s distinctive character was carefully preserved, while the first floor was reimagined as a bright, inviting new space-designed to feel as though it had always been part of the building. This project is one of several independent venues that HSA has proudly supported.

“We wanted to design it so that the structural and acoustic changes wouldn’t be noticeable to a returning customer”

Rusty and graffiti-covered metal cabinet set into a brick wall with a small brick shelf above it holding multiple small pots or cups.
A woman with blonde hair wearing a black crop top and patterned skirt dancing on a table at a lively indoor party, holding a drink and smiling while others around her are enjoying the event.
People socializing at an outdoor patio with string lights, potted plants, and a brick wall, at sunset or evening.
Architectural axonometric diagram of a multi-floor building, showing main entrance on Kitchen Street, with rooms, toilets, bar, box office, external area, terrace, rooftop bar, looking terrace, and upper viewing terrace.

Initial Concept Axo

People socializing at an indoor event with plants and wooden flooring.
Group of young women socializing and laughing at a bar or party, with drinks and cans of beer on the table.
Crowd of people at a bar with a DJ playing music in the foreground, decorated with blue and orange bunting and warm lighting.
A man playing keyboard and singing into a microphone on stage, with an audience watching him.

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