Princess Alexandra Auditorium / Associated Architects LLP

Curated by ArchDaily

Text description provided by the architects. Earlier this year Associated Architects completed the Princess Alexandra auditorium, an integral part of their overall masterplan for the school. The zinc clad performance hall won a 2013 RIBA North East award and has become a thriving arts venue in the North East.

Princess Alexandra Auditorium / Associated Architects LLP - Facade, Windows — via Associated Architects LLP

A double-height entrance foyer, maximising stunning views of the River Tees, connects the fan-shaped flexible auditorium, capable of seating up to 800, to a new riverside academic block containing classrooms, and multi-use dance and drama group activities spaces.

The flexibility of the Auditorium was achieved through the use of robust acoustic separating constructions and specialist fit out equipment, such as telescopic seating, an acoustically separating sliding proscenium partition which divides the Auditorium and Stage Studio Theatre into two independent teaching spaces, and an orchestra pit elevator able to be set to various levels.

Princess Alexandra Auditorium / Associated Architects LLP - Beam, Steel — via Associated Architects LLP

The masterplan site proved to be extremely sensitive, with listed buildings, conservation areas, potential flooding, nationally significant archaeology, protected species and asbestos, standing between inception and completion. During all this, the careful implementation of the phased works programme meant the school was able to remain fully operational, even during construction operations.

The Princess Alexandra Auditorium, was unveiled by its namesake, who was treated to a 15 minutes excerpt from Les Miserables, by students from the school.

The Headmaster, Mr David Dunn, said: “We are extremely honoured to be naming the auditorium after Princess Alexandra. It is most fitting that Princess Alexandra, so well known for her support of the performing arts, agreed to open the facility and gave the blessing for it to bear her name.”

Barbora Bott, Lead Architect on project said: “Although the site offered some interesting challenges, we’ve delivered a flexible design, that’s attractive as well as practical, providing students of Yarm School the facilities to realise their full potential.”