Groundlings Theatre (External organisation)

Description of Activity

Project Office: Groundlings Theatre

Final year BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design students worked on a ‘live’ project, seeing the redevelopment and expansion of one of Portsmouth’s oldest and most historically recognised buildings, the Groundlings Theatre. The building is grade 2* listed and the final design schemes will be sensitive to the original context and generated with input from English Heritage. This will ensure that the original building is preserved and maintained. The expansion will incorporate additional, adaptable spaces that can accommodate rehearsals, costume storage and changing facilities. Students were encouraged to think creatively to increase the theatres popularity and revenue. The project began with a five-day intensive design charrette, with students working in groups to generate initial conceptual ideas to pitch to the client, Richard Stride. Students then worked individually to develop schemes that were presented in November. Groundlings Theatre prides itself on working within the community and offering opportunities to the local area. For this reason, they have liaised with students from the University, offering the chance for them to produce their own ideas and designs for this expansion project. The chosen design will be built, with Lottery Funding. “Working within the local community of Portsmouth on either key historic buildings or through addressing critical social agendas, enables students studying BA (hons) Interior Architecture and Design the opportunity to ensure that their design skills can provide real solutions.” Lynne Mesher, Course Leader, BA (hons) Interior Architecture and Design “It has been exciting to work with a real client on a real project. It is interesting to design according to the site creating a concept that would encourage the community to use Groundlings, to help them maximise their space and potential.” Gajan Panchalingam, BA3 Interior Architecture and Design

Period	2014
Held at	Groundlings Theatre , United Kingdom