Centre for Performing Arts, Newnham College, Cambridge

Client – Newnham College
Date of Completion – 1998

The original Grade II listed building was built in 1878 by Basil Champneys for use as a chemistry laboratory. When women were finally allowed to use the university laboratories in 1948 it was put to a series of uses, including an artist’s studio and gardeners’ store, but fell into a state of disrepair.

The college was keen to bring the building back into use as a student facility and their brief asked for a performance space for audiences of up to 100, two music practice rooms, changing rooms, lavatories and audio-visual control room. To achieve this, the interior was radically overhauled. Sound insulation and acoustic quality were major considerations, as was the need to keep disruption to the exquisite external fabric at an absolute minimum.