Project of the month Performing arts centre, Plymouth University

摘要

South-west based contractor Midas Group has completed a £7m performing arts centre named The House for Plymouth University on its city-centre campus. The centrepiece of the 1,540sq m building, designed by architecture practice Burwell Deakins, is a double-height 200-capacity auditorium. Alongside the theatre a three-storey structure contains a public foyer, reception and feature staircase on the ground floor, rehearsal spaces and changing rooms on the first floor, with offices and sound rooms above. Constructed with a lightweight steel frame, the building's skin is made from standing seam copper, the same material as the university's Roland Levinsky arts centre opposite. It is also clad in locally sourced Plymouth limestone, a traditional building material in the city. An 11 x 6.5m external screen, integrated into the building's south facade, will be used to screen live performances to the public.