Plashet Grove Community Theatre

Working with Applecart Arts, Studio Gil undertook a feasibility study to look at the conversion of the Grade II listed Passmore Edwards Library into a community theatre, flexible and affordable workspaces, and a new community cafe.

We identified key opportunities to connect the spatial programmes to the wider park, enhancing the original client brief. Within the existing building, the lobby / auditorium would provide the connection from the outside to the theatre, with direct connections to the café side extension and both theatre spaces. New spaces created for the two theatres would be serviced by back-of-house spaces which include the large rehearsal space, the workshop, storage, and dressing rooms.

Where possible the spaces would be a connection to the outdoor spaces, especially through the café side extension out towards Plashet Park. The new build flexible, affordable workspace in the existing car park would include an outdoor amenity space to buffer the new mass with the existing building.