Studio and Stair Extensions to the Barn Theatre
Client: Barn Theatre Trust I Welwyn Garden City
A modest extension to the existing ‘studio’ that has transformed a previously small and unsuitable space to form a new Studio theatre and rehearsal space.
The heritage assessment weighed the respective values of the archaeological heritage asset of two 17C posts, imported in the 19C to the site, against the cultural heritage asset of the Barn Theatre within the history of Welwyn Garden City in order to justify removal.
The levels were adjusted to give level access from the Bar; a dangerous, chipboard control room was replaced by a properly serviced control room over a new wheelchair access WC. A specialist black studio floor has some ‘give’ for dance and other activities and the space given new services and storage,
On the other side of the Barn, an office was created out of a store room, accessed both off the Foyer and outside by a new, enclosed stair.
HAA commendation for conservation 2014