The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama

The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama Phase 5 Development Public consultation material

Rev Date Status / Notes * 17.10.14 Issued for Consultation Royal Central School of Speech & Drama

• Central was born in the Royal Albert Hall in 1906. Since this time it has sustained a reputation for innovation and excellence in the theatrical and performing arts.

• Central has taught and helped develop a roster of world renowned actors including Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Julie Christie, to name but a few.

• Central became the first drama college to be embraced within the formal Higher Education sector and was anointed as the Centre for Excellence in teaching for theatre.

• Central now has a global reputation of delivering world class teaching and training across a large range of courses, including many unique courses such as puppetry and object theatre; lighting and sound design; and stage design and construction.

• In 2012, Central was accorded Royal Title in recognition of the impact made by the School on behalf of British dramatic arts worldwide.

• Central makes a significant impact in terms of public benefits locally with a wide range of performances, seminars, lectures, festivals and exhibitions open to residents each year. The School also reaches out to work with local schools and community groups.

• Central is seen as an important part of the ‘cultural quarter’ at Swiss Cottage, with the Hampstead Theatre, Market and the Swiss Cottage Library and Leisure Centre located close by.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Current issues

• Training for the performance arts across the world is becoming ever more competitive. Where Britain once held a commanding position, other countries are moving forward.

• Central’s facilities have been considered to be amongst the best in the UK, but other colleges are expanding with new state of the art theatres, studios and workshops.

• There is an urgent requirement to meet the students current needs by providing high quality and bespoke teaching and performance space, fitting the School's world-leading reputation.

• The School rents out space across London (see map). This space is not suited to Central’s needs; it is located a considerable distance from the Swiss Cottage Campus, is very unattractive to students, and rental is very expensive. Central is seeking to consolidate students on its main campus in better suited facilities

Locations of off-site accommodation (red tags) in with a more pleasant environment. This will also reduce the significant cost of relation to Central's campus (green tag). renting off-site space.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 The site

The phase 5 site sits at the northern corner of Central's campus and is currently occupied by Studio 1, a dilapidated temporary building. This building currently contains rehearsal and workshop spaces however the facilities are not up to the required standard.

Redevelopment of the Phase 5 site creates an opportunity to provide us with greatly needed additional rehearsal and performance spaces that are fitting to our Buckland Crescent international reputation.

Phase 5 site - proposed location site for new College Crescent facilities

Campus boundary Studio 1

Eton Ave.

The West Block Hampstead Market Theatre

Phase 5 site

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Immediate needs

In 2013, Central carried out a needs assessment, involving extensive consultation with staff. The process identified a significant lack of large studios and highlighted the problems caused by substandard off-site space. A minimum of four additional teaching and rehearsal studios are needed simply to meet the existing needs.

The pressing need for additional space, and the need to bring off-site accommodation onto the main school site, means that Central must now develop to secure its long- term future in Swiss Cottage. The assessment identified the following immediate needs including the replacment of the existing facilities on the site:

5 large studios Teaching / rehearsal studios 2 teaching / meeting rooms For group tuition 6 academnic offices For sole occupation, suitable for teaching Shared office space To accommodate a minimum of 12 staff Support spaces Dressing rooms, showers, storage and WCs

These facilities are needed to provide adequate accommodation for existing student numbers. No increase in student numbers is proposed.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Proposed development

The proposed development comprises four storeys above ground level, together with a basement.

Studios are located at the back of the site, with smaller scale teaching and academic spaces facing onto Buckland and College Crescent. Buckland Crescent

College Crescent

Teaching and academic spaces

Smaller scale spaces facing Buckland Cres. Double-height studio

Studios at the back of the site

Connection to West Block Yard Teaching studios

Teaching and academic space

Circulation & support spaces

Existing Central facilities

WestBlock Embassy PLAN DIAGRAM (PROPOSED) NTS Theatre Ext. Surrounding buildings

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Proposed development

The new building will connect to the existing West Block, and tie into the existing floor levels; these are sufficiently tall to accommodate teaching and rehearsal studios, with smaller scale teaching and office accommodation on intermediate levels.

Building steps down along Buckland Crescent Existing West Block height

Studio

Studio Floor levels align with West Block Studio Buckland Cres. Studio

Studio Basement studio

Buckland Cres. Terrace Houses Proposed Phase 5 Existing West Block

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Proposed development

The following views show the proposed building from surrounding streets.

PROPOSED - View along Buckland Crescent towards College Crescent

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Proposed development

PROPOSED - View looking South down College Crescent

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 Proposed development

PROPOSED - View looking North up from College Crescent

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 10 Proposed development

PROPOSED - View looking up College Crescent towards Buckland Crescent

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 11 Proposed development

The exterior of the Phase 5 building is proposed to be painted stucco to link Central's campus with the stucco architecture of the Belsize Conservation Area. The proposed development will create a transition in both scale and material between the glass curtain wall of Central's existing Phase 4 building and the stucco terraces and villas of College and Buckland Crescents.

Phase 5

Transition

Stucco architecture of the Glass curtain wall of Central's Belsize Conservation Area Phase 4 building

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 12 Considerations & benefits

• The scheme offers an enhancement to the Belsize Conservation Area. The development will replace a poor quality termporary building with an attractive and sympathetic building that relates well with the surrounding street scene

• The building incorporates natural ventilation, photovoltaic panels and sustainable design principles with an aspiration to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.

• Increased cycle parking accessed from The Market.

Buckland Crescent • No car parking.

Phase 5 site - • Increased ability to put on publicly accessible performances. proposed location site for new College Crescent facilities • Access to campus and the proposed new building will be from the school's main Eton Avenue entrance.

Campus boundary

Eton Ave. Current and proposed additional cycle parking

Market

Public performance at Central

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Public Consultation Material October 2014 13