Case Study

Harrow School Theatre
Yew Walk
Harrow on the Hill
Middlesex

Contract Sum	:	£1m - £2.99m
Funding	:	Private
Gross area	:	1000m2 - 2000m2
Procurement	:	Jct 80
Date	:	1993 - 1995

Project Description:	Harrow School has obtained a meritorious theatre to service its needs at the minimum sensible cost. Its primary function is as an education facility which comprises all the technical elements of a fully functioning professional theatre. It is also an attractive social focus for a theatre going audience of up to 400 people. The theatre lies within the prestigious conservation area of Harrow on the Hill. Its small and isolated site adjoins a complex of favours buildings and its prominence on the skyline has led to a carefully considered design which responds directly to the unique and sensitive contest and to the Harrow School tradition of building. The design of the theatre on two levels in the auditorium has resulted in an incredibly compact sequence of public spaces of exhilarating architectural complexity and subtle coloration which ascent via cleverly planned and elegantly detailed staircases to a fan shaped auditorium. Here the audience, whether in the stalls or in the gallery, can enjoy the exceptional intimacy of drama originating from a very generous stage that can mutate into a number of forms using variations of traditional proscenium, moveable proscenium walls, thrust stage, calliper stage and orchestra pit. Uniquely the back wall of the stage is the previous external wall of the Victorian gymnasium with its brick arches left unrendered and unpainted. The acoustic design of the theatre has achieved a good balance for the spoken word, with occasional musical accompaniment and film projection. It also successfully eliminates the boisterous noise for the adjacent squash and rackets courts, together with the noise from the over flying aircraft in the flight path of Northolt. The theatre has been a huge success and having been built during a difficult construction period has completely fulfilled the brief in terms of finance, operations and time scale.
Project Sectors:	Conservation General Culture and Entertainment Theatres Education
Contact:	Estates Bursar Harrow School 5b High Street Harrow on the Hill
Project Successes:	Design innovation Design integrity Functionality Meeting budget Meeting deadline Value for money
Awards:	Harrow Observer/Heritage Trust 1996
Office Involvement:	Andrew Reed

Scope of Works Undertaken by this Office:

Full architectural services provided in accordance with RIBA Work Stage A - L, Inception to Completion under a JCT 1980 Form of Building Contract.

Additional Services Offered:

• Interior design: specifically establishing the quality of front of house spaces including the foyer, saloon, circulation spaces and the auditorium.
• Furniture and Fittings: advise on the selection of furniture and fittings and the design of specific built in furniture.
• Special works: advise on works of special quality, including preparation of information for installation of mechanical lifting stage.
• Works of Art: advise on selection of works of art.
• Landscape design
• Perspective and illustrations.
• Model making.
• Photographic records of construction work.
• Provide services as a consultant architect on a regular basis.
• Consult statutory authorities including consultation with Environmental Health and Fire Authority with regard to requirements for licensing for a public entertainment and with Electric Company with regard to relocation and upgrading sub station.
• Provide services in connection with planning appeals.
• Consult local and national conservation bodies.
• Advise on the suitability and selection of sites with regard to the client's strategic planning.
• Make measured surveys and prepare drawings of existing buildings to be integrated into the theatre development.
• Inspect and prepare report and schedule of condition of existing buildings to be refurbished.
• Inspect and prepare report and schedule of dilapidations prior to commencement of building works.
• Investigate and advise on means of escape in existing buildings to incorporate refurbishment and change of use to include theatre orientated activated and sports facilities.
• Arrange for specialist contractors to inspect building failures owing to damp and rot infestation, including integration of report and proposed remedial work into the specification of the works.
• Preparation of site development proposals to include adjoining land in support of the main theatre development.
• Prepare drawings and specifications of materials for the construction of estate roads and services.
• Investigate and advise on sound insulation in existing buildings including integration of acoustic consultants advice in successful acoustic separation of new theatre with sports facilities in the refurbished building.
• Investigate and advise on fire protection and alarms in existing buildings.