Performing Arts Facilities in Schools

Click to enlarge Floor plan.

The purpose-built drama suite at Nayland College is stand-alone but connected to the music suite via a corridor.

Main access from the corridor is via a small lobby that provides a sound barrier to the nearby music rooms, as well as storage for students' belongings and a toilet. The lobby is close to an external public entrance and has space for a ticket desk when required.

Click to enlarge Drama room.

The large drama room has a sprung floor of particle board. Working lights are close to the ceiling and well above the lighting bars.

Click to enlarge Ceiling windows.

Click to enlarge Roof.

The centre of the roof has been constructed as a lowered trough, creating an interesting external design feature. Internally, on both sides of the trough, ceiling windows provide daylight, and louvred shutters can be closed mechanically for blackout.

Click to enlarge Curtain tracks.

Heavy curtain tracks run across the end wall and along the sides of the drama room. They also run across a centre beam and along the sides, allowing the room to be divided in two. A wall mirror can be covered by the curtains.

Click to enlarge Storage.

A number of storage facilities open directly to the main teaching space. A small set room has a double door into the teaching space, and also opens onto a driveway outside via a loading bay door beside a public entrance. The set room includes a sink and simple overhead racks designed with the structure.

Large cupboards for properties and audiovisual equipment are built into the end wall of the teaching space.

Click to enlarge Audiovisual cupboard.

Click to enlarge Wardrobe room.

A wardrobe room runs the full length of the other end wall, opening onto the main space as well as into a green room equipped with kitchen facilities. The green room opens through to a staff office, and a nearby audiovisual cupboard opens to the main space via a roller door.