Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This new centre includes a 400-seat auditorium.

Exposed concrete is used throughout the building, as the structural frame and architectural design, with the warmth, stability and acoustic benefits offered by timber exploited for the fully two-way spanning diagrid roof and its supports, and throughout the auditorium space. 

Judge's comment:

In the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre, the team has delivered a deceptively simple and elegant structure: exposed structural materials with integrated services have necessitated rigorous attention to detail. 

The two-way spanning LVL timber foyer roof relies on novel octagonal steel nodes with glued-in rods which were developed and tested with the University of Bath, resulting in a clean and concealed joint executed with precision and finesse.

These timbers are in turn supported on slender timber mullions in the double height facade. Throughout the interior of the foyer, exposed concrete provides passive cooling and again is detailed to realise the highest visual quality of finish. 

A real jewel and exemplar of refined integrated design.