UG Architecture Studio 05 Undergraduate Architecture – Studios

Studio brief

Now that we spend so much time online and want to control how others see us, the way we act and the places where we meet in person seem more important than ever for having meaningful lives. Are theatre spaces such places? Are they a platform for actors and communities to engage in open, face-to-face interactions, fostering community and promoting cultural exchange?

This year we will design a carbon-positive theatre in Walthamstow, hosting national artists and serving the diverse local communities. The new theatre will be imagined like a small piece of town designed to be integrated with the surrounding urban landscape. The transition from the space of the street to the theatre interior will be at the heart of this design enquiry with the character and flexibility of its interior and exterior being at the heart of this question. We will provide a large auditorium, a smaller studio theatre, open air courtyard, rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, shared workspace and a restaurant. The spaces will be flexible and adaptable with seating and openings to support both black box performance and naturally lit activities. We will prioritise lightness, agility and flexibility with robust, low maintenance finishes. The final designs will be in either prominent high street locations or post-industrial backlands, with their facades, main entrances and foyers serving as inclusive and accessible extensions of the public realm.

At the start of the year, we will focus on studying built examples, from Britain and Europe to build knowledge and draw inspiration. For our field trip we will travel to Athens, Greece, often considered the birthplace of tragedy and drama. During our stay we will visit a range of performance spaces from ancient to contemporary.

Our teaching combines ‘learning by doing’ with in-depth seminar discussions to help you understand the subject matter thoroughly and develop your practical skills and critical thinking.