London Calling

photo credit: www.alicepeperell.com

It’s exciting times for London Calling’s sustainability partners Arcola Theatre, who recently unveiled their plans to create a brand new eco-theatre in East London.

Following a feasibility study funded by the London Development Agency the project will be the UK’s first major arts venue to place environmental sustainability at the core of all stages of construction, operations and programming.

Executive Director at Arcola, Dr Ben Todd, described the vision as an aim “to create a place Da Vinci might call home where creative people across multiple disciplines drive innovation for a sustainable and equitable future.”

The expanded Arcola Theatre will include:

• A main house theatre seating 350 (500 standing), suitable for mid-scale theatre and opera productions
• 150 and 80 seat black-box studio theatres, similar to those Arcola already run
• An extensive foyer, spilling out on to the public realm, with bar/cafe/restaurant and informal meeting spaces
• Incubator units for scientists and engineers developing sustainable technologies
• A Bike Hub with storage and change facilities, close to public transport nodes
• Public garden and growing spaces

The architecture and engineering design for Future Arcola will be coordinated by Arup Associates, whose iconic projects include Sydney Opera House and the Birds Nest and Water Cube stadiums for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.