St John's School

St John’s Performing Arts Centre is designed around a Theatre with a flat floor which allows multi use of the space. Acoustically it is designed for both Music and Drama, with attenuation achieved by using drapes. The flat floor allows electronically controlled banks of seat to roll out and provide a proscenium theatre for up to 270. A four sided balcony and seating to the stage end of the hall allow for theatre in the round productions as well. The theatre opens onto a workshop with direct access outside for large scenery and visiting productions. Attached to the theatre is the Music School, on two storeys providing eight practice rooms, classrooms, instrument storage and offices for staff. To the rear is a percussion room, acoustically isolated from the building.

The opposite side to the Music School, in another wing, is the Sixth Form Centre. This is on two storeys linked by a helical stair. The top houses the bar which doubles as a crush bar during performances. The ground floor is dividable with sliding partitions to provide green room space of different sizes dependent upon the size of the production.

The sixth form can occupy all the space when productions are not occurring. Adjacent to the flexible green rooms are two dressing rooms. The sixth form is located on the school campus side of the building, which allows the space to be opened up in times of sunny weather.

Comments; webmaster@bhmarchitects.com: Last updated February 14, 2008.