DAVID BROWNLOW THEATRE

The architect’s design brief was for a theatre that would expand the arts and drama curriculum at Horris Hill School in Berkshire. Located in grounds of 85 acres, the day and boarding preparatory school is for boys aged between 4 and 13.

​

Spanning 528 sq m, the new sustainable building incorporates a 160-seat auditorium, performance space, and tall portico structure at the entrance, which was designed for use as a billboard and assembly space. The project also comprised an outdoor amphitheatre facing the woods and school playing fields.

​

Natural materials were specified to create a naturally ventilated theatre and to reflect the building’s rural setting.

​

The quality of the building’s design has been recognised at several awards. In 2021, it was highly commended at the Wood Awards, was a finalist in the Small Project of the Year category at the Building Awards, named one of the top 10 British architecture projects by Dezeen magazine, and shortlisted at the RICS UK Awards 2022.