University Drama Studio

The Cambridge University Drama Studio opened in June 2004 and was designed by Allies & Morrison Architects to provide for a wide range of events. It is essentially a lecture hall which can also serve for music recitals, academic conferences and a squash court. Dramatic productions are also intended to be accommodated. Allies & Morrison also designed the entrance buildings to the College.

The auditorium seats 250 on a single tier of bleacher seating. Both this and the side walls electronically retract to create one large space. There is also an atrium foyer, reception space, backstage facilities, a suite of three music practice rooms and two dressing rooms. The auditorium has no stage, but has a sprung floor for dance.

The auditorium was sunk in to the ground to respect the scale of the surrounding Lasdun, Richard MacCormac and van Heyningen & Haward buildings. The final cost was £2.5m but the crisp rectilinear forms and thoughtful detailing make the building look more expensive. Concrete finishes, zinc, timber and machine made bricks are used to create an ensemble worthy of a design award.