ArtsEd Set For Major Expansion In Bath Road

Performing arts school plans a major overhaul of the building

An expansion of the ArtsEd building in Bath Road, is being proposed, using unused courtyard space at the rear to provide new classrooms, roof-top dance and rehearsal studios, and a new canopied design for the entrance.

The building now finds itself in need of a major overhaul. Many of its rooms are now not considered fit for purpose and some activities have to be undertaken off site. The redevelopment of ArtsEd London, will give an opportunity to reorganise the campus and to create much needed new Studio, Rehearsal and Teaching space of up to 2,500 sq metres. The school is hoping to introduce its proposals to the local community next week (see below for details).

ArtsEd London, which is supported by famous names from the world of theatre and music including Sir Trevor Nunn and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, and whose alumni includes Julie Andrews and Nigel Havers, opened a modern theatre on the premises a few years ago and the circular 'drum' design may be an integral focus for the refurbishment which will also include an upgrade for the central lobby, and a cafeteria.

The director, Chris Hocking, the trustees and the architects, De Matos Ryan, are very keen to show and explain the proposals to the wider community, how they believe the development will sit well within the Bedford Park community and to take on board any issues, which may affect its neighbours.

They are, therefore, inviting all members of the Bedford Park Society and other neighbours of the school to a presentation on Tuesday 19 December at 6.00 – 7.15 pm at the school (14, Bath Road).

The Arts Ed is a world-leading centre for the study of the performing arts which received an 'Outstanding' report from Ofsted in 2015. It is not intending to expand the number of students.

The proposed scheme has been presented to the Bedford Park Society’s Planning Committee and some other members of other committees, and ArtsEd believe it could create an arts building which will be widely acclaimed and offer a truly positive enhancement to Bedford Park. The scheme has also been discussed with Hounslow Planning officers who apparently responded positively.

Impression of how it might look in the future as seen on architects website

This is what the architects say on their website (although this is subject to possible changes), "Underpinned by a new iconic Studio Theatre at the core of the reorganised tight urban site, the scheme unlocks with new architectural clarity the potential of the existing buildings and delivers an additional 2500 m² of new facilities.

"The unusual format of the new elliptical Studio Theatre can adapt to numerous actor-audience typologies, offering unexpected opportunities for creative teams to experiment wider and discover more innovative creative landscapes.

"The volumetric ‘drum’ identity of the Studio Theatre remains present at all levels and is accessed by a new shared social foyer space housing a new cafeteria linking to reception and the main auditorium.

"A figurative arched entrance canopy provides enhanced identity along Bath Road and links visually to the new roof top volume housing state-of-the-art north-lit dance studios."

ArtsEd originated from two schools, one founded in 1919 by Grace Cone and one in 1922 by Olive Ripman. The two women were educational pioneers who believed passionately in the value of combining a general academic education with a specialised training in dance, drama, music and art. In 1939 Grace and Olive joined forces to create the Cone Ripman School, subsequently named the Arts Educational Schools. The school has been on its current site since 1985.

A spokesperson for ArtsEd said "The project will cover all aspects of ArtsEd’s provision and will see significant improvements for the Day School and Sixth Form as well as the Schools of Acting and Musical Theatre. We will be submitting the formal Planning Application to Hounslow Borough in the first half of 2018 and opportunities to see the plans, once finalised, will be widely publicised. "

The School trustees recently entered into a rigorous competitive process to select their architects. They say that De Matos Ryan is a highly regarded practice, of a younger generation, and examples of their work can be seen on their website together with the proposal for the schools’ project under the ‘Projects’ tab.

ArtsEd is conscious that this is a very busy time of the year but hopes that local residents will be able to attend the presentation and offer views on the scheme.

If you wish to attend you are asked to RSVP to Victoria Noël at vnoel@artsed.co.uk or on 020 8987 6652 by Wednesday 13 December.

December 7, 2017