Wellington College Arts Centre

The design of the Performance Arts Centre is inspired by historic theatres and academic buildings; notably the Globe Theatre, London and the Bodleian Library, Oxford. The Globe highlights the resonance of recognisable form and timber construction, while the Bodleian Library is notable in the almost modern character achieved by its stone screen walls and few, large apertures.

The structural elements are to be formed using solid core timber panel construction, augmented by engineered timber beams. This system is cost-effective, sustainable, and advantageous in terms of programming.

The external skin and internal lining are built using sawn timber planks unitised elements. The sawn surface is robust, does not require specialist carpentry skills, ages well, and is easy to maintain.