Architect for Bath arts centre chosen

Architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios has been appointed lead designer for the new £11m Centre for the Arts development at the University of Bath.

The new centre, on the Claverton Down campus, will house the Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts (ICIA) and the University of Bath of School of Management.

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios was appointed to design the centre after a competitive interview.

The site for the Centre comprises two existing buildings; the Peter Smithson conceived Arts Lecture Theatre and the Arts Barn, which will be replaced by a substantial extension to the Arts Theatre comprising a gallery, dance and performance studios, visual arts studios and music practice rooms as well as a suite of spaces for the University’s Executive MBA programme.

The University of Bath said it would be targeting a low energy building, with a planning application to be submitted in summer 2012.

It said construction work on a new centre would begin in spring 2013, with the building open to the public from autumn 2014. It is anticipated that the total cost of the new Centre will be in the order of £10.75m.

John Struthers, director of ICIA, said: “These new facilities will make a huge difference to what the University can offer to our students, staff and the wider community.

“We are absolutely delighted that Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios have been selected to design this flagship project for the University and look forward to working with them over the coming months to create a building with regional and national importance.”