PERSONAL PROJECT PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
BRIEF : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
Chanc
Elie Str e
et
‘Conversion of a former primary schooL gymnasium and baths into a cultural performance venue located in the West End of Glasgow.’
ellor Str
lcro
ss
By
Da
res
Church Street
Ro ad
eet
Str
ee
t
Torness Stree
t Moy Street
Dum
bar
ton
Roa
d
Brief
A disused swimming pool in the West End of Glasgow has been considered as a potential location for a new centre for the performing arts. Communal theatre space and rehearsal studios are required, and the following institutions will be the main contributors of events and shows within the space; organising a mixture of public and private events:
Scottish Ballet Scottish Opera Dance Point RSAMD The Cottier Theatre Theatre Hub Performing Arts Institutions such as The Cottier Theatre and TheatreHub are within a short walking distance from the project location. Relocation to larger venues for such production companies would be a consideration for the future due to an ever-growing interest and demand for performance arts. The building is close to local infrastructure such as Kelvinhall underground station and Partick railway station; making it a prime location for performers from all over Glasgow to commute to the space with ease. Venues which the same purpose such as The Tramway and The Briggait are located either on the South Side of the city or in The East End. There are currently no venues in the locale of the West End which incorporates a space of equivalent scale.
I
HISTORY : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE LEFT
: Photograph of Assembly Building, 1970.
BELOW : Exterior & Interior Shots of current condition of the building.
HISTORY Past
Church Street School and its ancillary buildings were built for Govan Parish School Board to accommodate 1,308 pupils. The school grounds containing all buildings were constructed in 1903, all designed by Scots architects Donald Bruce and Edward Hay. It replaced the former Partick Academy, built on the site by Alexander Watt circa 1850 and later relocated. Donald Bruce and E A B Hay were commissioned to build the new school by Govan School Board, for whom they also built Balshagray Public School in 1904 and made alterations to Bellahouston Academy between 1893 and 1901. A swimming pool and workshops were added at the rear, on Torness Street, in 1904.
Present
The existing pool building has fallen into severe disrepair after years of remaining unoccupied since its official closure in 1997. Years of precipitation have resulted in the building being unsafe and not structurally sound. In October 2002, the roof of the existing janitor’s house has collapsed - it remains a hotspot for vegetation and the deterioration of reinforcement and structural supports means it is supported by scaffolding. The main school block is threatened with demolition, along with the swimming pool and janitor's house. A demolition order already exists for the pool. However, Hillhead Community Council is lobbying Historic Scotland to list the complex and it is backed by the local councillor. Even the locals who live within the area have expressed their concerns. Residents in this particular area of the West End have requested the council to redevelop for possible public utilisation or restoration as a swimming bath. Otherwise, the future decline of the building could result in demolition if public interest continues to decrease. The pools closure was decided due to fact that the Assembly Building was no longer used as a school, and therefore there were no pupils to use it. The Assembly Building is now occupied by Glasgow City Council's Social Services Department.
II
CONCEPT : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
A
B
S
SOCIAL WORK OFFICE (Former School Assembly Building)
PROJECT SITE LOCATION (Former School Swimming Pool & Janitor’s House)
GLASOW WESTERN INFIRMAY
KELVINHALL SUBWAY STATION
Concept The building was chosen primarily for, not only its size, but its former use comes as an advantage to the concept of the theatre. The building is a double height atrium space like other older pool houses. The vision was to submerge the auditorium space using the depth of the pool; as well as provision of studio rehearsal spaces above the auditorium. The building proved to be a challenge when pursuing this concept, as there were many obstructions and height restrictions due to the pitched roof and low depth of the swimming pool. Many alternatives were carried out; which resulted in the final design having an alteration in what has been utilised within the space. Shown to the right and below in the conceptual drawings, the depth of the pool contains the theatre space within it.
III
S
LOCATION & DISTANCE MAPS : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE PERFORMANCE VENUES
RAIL/SUBWAY STATION
RIV
ER
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
CLY
DE
The diagramatic map above represents landmark locations and relevant cultural venues within the surrounding area; as well as showing the location of three stations of Glasgow’s Subway system.
1.
COTTIER’S THEATRE
2.
KELVINHALL SUBWAY
3.
PARTICK RAIL / SUBWAY
4.
GOVAN SUBWAY
5.
RIVERSIDE TRANSPORT MUSEUM
6.
‘SWG3’
7.
SCOTTISH EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE CENTRE
8.
KELVIN HALL INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ARENA
9.
KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY & MUSEUM
10.
HUNTERIAN ART GALLERY & MUSEUM
(STUDIO WAREHOUSE)
The map below shows the walking route to the venue location from these landmarks; as well as the distance in miles and walking time.
HUNTERIAN ART GALLERY & MUSEUM - 0.5 miles, 10 mins COTTIER’S THEATRE - 0.3 miles, 6 mins SUBWAY STOPS Govan to Partick Partick Kelvinhall
- 0.8 miles, 2 mins - 0.5 miles, 9 mins - 433 feet , 2 mins
RIVERSIDE TRANSPORT MUSEUM - 0.8 miles, 17 mins ‘SWG3’
(STUDIO WAREHOUSE) - 0.9 miles, 19 mins
KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY & MUSEUM - 0.4 miles, 8 mins KELVIN HALL INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ARENA - 0.3 miles, 6 mins
IV
GROUND FLOOR : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
3 2
BY
TORNESS STREET
4
RE
1
SR
OA
D
5
6
Torness Street Entrance (Staff & Performers) 7
Byres Road Entrance (Staff, Guest & Disabled)
1
Cafeteria Area Rehearsal Space
1 (Submerged in former pool depth)
V
1
Reception & Waiting Area
2
Male & Female WC
3
Cafeteria Kitchen
4
Performance Breakout Space
5
Lift Access Corridor
6
Lower Auditorium
7
Rehearsal Room Access Ramp
AUDITORIUM PLAN : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
8
3
2
4
Rehearsal Space Access
Rehearsal Space 5 1
Stair Landing
1
Auditorium Entrance
2
Upper Tier Seating
3
Auditorium Entrance
4
Lower Tier Seating
5
Stage Area
6
Rehearsal Room Access Ramp
7
Departmental Offices
8
6
(via Stairs)
7
(via Lift)
VI
AUDITORIUM PLAN : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
Conceptual art depicting the entrance area. The roof has been been enhanced with additional skylights to add to the retained former skylight running the full length of the building; creating one of the brightest areas of the space.
Early concept art representing use of the depth of the pool.
VII
VISUALS : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
VIII
REHEARSAL ROOM : PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE
1