The New Civic Arts Centre, also known as ‘Theatre at the Mill’ design brief called for an intimate, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Optimal space utilisation is achieved in the new 400 seat auditorium through the use of automated retractable seating enabling the space to be used for a wide variety of events. Large double width stairs drop down to the lower ground level and the upper seats and balconies are accessed from a walkway suspended over the main stairs. Natural light spills down onto the stairways from a roof lantern and the whole double height public space benefits from tall curtain-wall screens.
The new civic arts centre, which encloses a large external courtyard, has a contemporary expression sympathetically integrated into its historic industrial surroundings in terms of scale, massing and context. It steps back in height from the main courtyard elevation to the fly-tower beyond and the scale is such that the new built form rests comfortably with the 3 and 4 storey mill buildings forming the other three sides of the new civic square.
