Page 97 - AIT0519_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Haworth Tompkins, GB-London
Bauherr • Client The Perse School
Standort • Location Hills Road, GB-Cambridge
Nutzfläche • Floor space 2.340 m 2
Fotos • Photos Philip Vile, Fred Howarth
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More infos on page 166

PERFORMING ARTS

CENTRE IN CAMBRIDGE

With its own theatre, the Perse School underlines its
special teaching concept, which, in addition to classical
school education, primarily aims to impart creativity,
joy, and self-confidence to the pupils. Architectural stu-
dio Haworth Tompkins have created a timeless building
that meets the demands of daily teaching practice as
well as its representative function as a theatre.
6

C ambridge, a city of 150,000 inhabitants in the east of England, is
2 known for its world-famous elite university founded in 1209. Not
far from the historical centre with its imposing Gothic university buil-
dings, the Perse School also looks back on a long tradition. Founded
in 1615, the private school has always attached great importance to
the free development of its fosterlings, who – between three and 18
years old – are prepared for their promising future. Beyond the classi-
4 3 1 cal curriculum, countless activities are available, including music,
dance, and drama. When the performing arts facilities were bursting
at the seams, London-based architectural firm Haworth Tompkins was
commissioned with the construction of a new building. The Peter Hall
Performing Arts Centre with a façade made of polished concrete, light
brick, and generous glazing, together with the courtyard in front, now
forms the new heart of the school. Visible from afar through the dou-
ble-height glass façade on the upper level, the diamond-shaped tim-
5 5 5 5 5
ber ceiling structure is immediately striking. The structure also im-
presses in the multifunctional foyer, which with its custom-made woo-
den furniture serves as a café for pupils and staff during the day and
turns into a reception area full of atmosphere for the audience during
Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Ground floor plan 1 Foyer • Foyer events. The classrooms and rehearsal rooms as well as the fully
2 Kunstgalerie • Gallery equipped backstage area with workshop, cloakroom, and technical
3 Theatersaal • Auditorium
4 Bühne • Stage equipment are lined up on the ground floor around the auditorium, a
5 Klassenzimmer • Classroom dark timber-lined space with 400 seats. In addition to active partici-
6 Backstagebereich • Backstage
pation in the stage programme, students can immerse themselves in
the entire production process. A textile artwork by Scottish artist Vic-
toria Morton adorns the concrete wall in the foyer, along which a stair-
case leads to the gallery on the upper level. From here, the visitor has
a view of the bustling activity in the courtyard. Mainly known for the
renovation of historic theatre buildings, Haworth Tompkins have cho-
4 3 1
sen high-quality materials for this new 2,340-square-metre building.
All of them promise durability and at the same time allow the running
Längsschnitt • Longitudinal section operation to leave its traces, in other words its patina.

AIT 5.2019 • 097