HOME Manchester, Petersfield

What is HOME Manchester?

HOME Manchester is a remarkable arts centre located on First Street in Manchester city centre. Opened in May 2015, it was created through the merger of the Cornerhouse arts complex and the Library Theatre Company, forming a central venue for contemporary art, theatre, and film oai_citation:0‡Wikipedia.

Housed in a distinctive triangular building designed by the Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo, HOME features an iridescent glazed façade with irregular fins, a welcoming central stairwell acting as a social spine, and a connected café-bar terrace that spills into the public square oai_citation:1‡mecanoo.nl.

The venue includes:

• 2 theatres (a 500-seat main theatre and a 150-seat studio)
• 5 cinema screens
• Gallery space for visual arts
• Café-bar, restaurant, and public social areas
  It serves as a vibrant cultural hub commissioning and hosting international and local experimental work oai_citation:2‡Architectural Digest oai_citation:3‡Wikipedia oai_citation:4‡superlative-walks.com.

Why Shoot Here?

HOME Manchester is a compelling photography spot for several reasons:

• Striking architecture: The building’s bold triangular form and glowing façades make for dynamic exterior shots, especially during changeable light conditions.
• Inviting interiors: The central stairwell, with its warm wooden tones and integrated social spaces, offers fantastic opportunities for atmospheric interior and architectural capture.
• Creative ambiance: The mix of gallery installations, theatre staging, and lively public areas creates a layered, storytelling-rich environment.
• Best times to visit:
  • Daytime to leverage natural light through the façade and staircase levels.
  • Outside performance hours for quiet, unobstructed interiors.
• Composition ideas:
  • Use the building’s angles and glowing glass for bold wide shots or abstracts.
  • Photograph people interacting on the staircase or in social zones for human-centered storytelling.
  • Frame filmscreenings, artworks, or performances within architectural lines.

Further Information

• Wikipedia – HOME (Manchester) — details on its creation, architecture, facilities, and cultural programming oai_citation:5‡Wikipedia oai_citation:6‡ArchDaily oai_citation:7‡The Times
• Mecanoo Project Overview – HOME Arts Centre — architectural design insights, layout, and context oai_citation:8‡mecanoo.nl
• Manchester Animation Festival – Hosted at HOME — an example of its dynamic arts programming oai_citation:9‡Wikipedia