Architect Ian Ritchie has been asked by the Royal Shakespeare Company to design a prefabricated temporary theatre at its headquarters in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

Officials at the theatre have submitted a planning application to Warwick council for a 1000-seat auditorium next to The Other Place, the company鈥檚 third venue after the main theatre and the Swan.

The 拢4m structure will be a temporary home for the RSC while its main venues are redeveloped from 2007 to 2009.

The theatre will be built on a car park next to The Other Place. It will take less time to build because it will be constructed off site.

An RSC spokesperson said the building would not be visually stunning because the 鈥渂ox-like鈥� design would be made from a robust and sound-proof substance called Corten A. The theatre will be fitted together 鈥渓ike Meccano鈥� off-site and coloured 鈥渁utumnal red鈥� to blend in with surrounding buildings.

The RSC hopes it will be open for the RSC鈥檚 Complete Works of Shakespeare Festival, which starts in April next year. It will be the Stratford home for the company鈥檚 main house ensemble until the main theatre is redeveloped. An architect for this scheme is being sought.

Funding will be sliced from the 拢50m donated from the national lottery for the overall project. The RSC is match-funding the costs, which are expected to be 拢100m.