Project of the week

WHAT: The first purpose-built theatre for children on Tooley Street near London Bridge Station. Features a 340-seat studio theatre and rehearsal, education and teaching spaces. The initiative aims to offer art and education programmes to more than 100,000 children each year, aged between 4 and 12.

HOW MUCH: £13m.

WHO: QS: Bucknall Austin, architect: Keith Williams Architects, contractor: Mansell Construction Services, structural and M&E engineer: Arup.

WHEN: Work started in February 2004 and finished in November 2005.

CONTRACT: Two-stage contract using JCT 98 without quantities.

COMPONENTS: The Unicorn theatre comprises an asymmetric pavilion, a multi-level transparent foyer, plus a grand staircase leading to the main auditorium.

BACKGROUND: The architect received praise from children’s minister Beverley Hughes after it approached 30 children from Tower Bridge Primary School and consulted them on various elements including seating plans.

WHAT THEY SAID: “Working for an organisation that has never had a home before and which contributes so much to the education and development of children made working on this project very unique and rewarding. The theatre was completed on time and to budget thanks to excellent teamwork between the client, design team and the contractors on site team” – John Burgess, partner Bucknall Austin.

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