Arts Centre

 

New Southampton Cultural Quarter Competition

 

Four different exhibition and performance spaces combinded in one building

 

Our endeavor to re-unite and re-connect the civic landscape of the Guildhall Square with the natural landscape prompted us to create an arts complex which allows several approaches and entrances. The main entrance to the complex is off the civic square. The square forms the public forecourt to the arts complex by accommodating reduced traffic/shared surface zones. From the main lobby and ticket counter one may proceed either to the gallery spaces and meander through to the park, or divert to the main stair hall which leads one to the cloak areas and further on to the foyers of the theatres. The full height main stair hall maintains a visual and spatial connection between all the foyers and reception areas, between the visitors themselves and continuously directs and reunites one’s movement and gaze between the civic square and the park. The proposal of an optional landscape/stair element to the park also allows one to approach and enter the theatre directly from the park, and which ties directly and seamlessly into the main stair hall. The optional landscape/stair element also performs the function of bleed-out space from the theatres and may form an impromptu external theatre, performance or gathering space.

 

The arts complex is flanked by two new apartment blocks. These residential projects are on the one hand financial enabling works but may also be regarded as social enabling works which will facilitate and maintain the revitalisation and the liveliness of the new Arts Quarter. The bases of the two buildings will provide space for commercial and hospitality opportunities to further this effect.