Project overview

Bethany School Pengelly Theatre

Location: Kent, UK

Bethany is a leading independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11-18. The school undertook a significant project to construct a new performing arts centre that would offer pupils a first-class venue to explore and develop their creative potential.

Solution

Working closely with Hollaway Studio Architects and Baxall Construction, we designed a seating solution that maximises the flexibility of the space while ensuring a professional theatre appearance. At the ground floor level, a Retractable System was incorporated; the system features ash-veneered fascia boards to match the surrounding wall cladding when retracted. Transition steps from the retractable unit lead onto the balcony, where 80 fixed benches on raised tiers have been installed to maximise capacity. The result is awe-inspiring and will provide a unique facility for years to come.