Project summary

The University of Arts Kings Cross campus will bring together the activities of Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, London Studio Centre and the London Drama Centre on a new site being created within the shell of a series of transit sheds and granary buildings to the rear of Kings Cross station. The campus forms part of a larger development incorporating retail, commercial and industrial units. Several performance and performance-related design courses are offered by the University and a series of specialist spaces, including a fully equipped theatre, are required to facilitate the courses on offer.

Charcoalblue has been engaged to assist the architect in developing the design of the theatre, together with a studio space, a suite of performance laboratories, a suite of lecture theatres and a range of performance zones located within the main thoroughfare through the site.

In addition to working on the planning of these spaces in the wider context, Charcoalblue is planning the interiors of the auditoria and developing a series of custom seating solutions for each of the spaces, including the introduction of a retractable, curved seating unit in the main theatre. Charcoalblue is also designing the stage machinery, stage lighting and audiovisual systems required to service the full range of performance spaces.