The 350-seat Performing Arts Centre is the first major construction project at Cotswolds-based Rendcomb College for 26 years.
Construction is underway on site
Located at the heart of the campus, the Centre will be a whole-school facility allowing ample opportunities for use by the Nursery, Junior and Senior Schools. In addition to the fully equipped auditorium, classrooms and a dance studio with ballet posture mirrors, integrated bars and a sprung floor are integrated into the design. Box office, bar and hospitality area are also part of the build with an essential prop and set workshop and costume store.
An artist’s impression of the inside of the centre
The Performing Arts Centre’s position and design have been carefully chosen to complement and respect the neighbouring listed buildings, which include Grade I listed St Peter’s Church and the surrounding landscape. The Centre will be built in natural stone, which is characteristic of the local area, as well as timber, including external red cedar cladding and glass. A living sedum ‘green’ roof will deliver improved thermal performance and promote biodiversity, providing a habitat for wildlife such as bees, butterflies and insects. The building is single-storey, with the auditorium lowered into the ground to reduce its impact.
Building work commenced in September 2015 and the project is on target to complete this autumn, ready for the 2016/17 academic year.
