Channing School
A new sports hall, sixth form building and triple-height performing arts centre, delivered as part of our ongoing work with Channing School, all with a focus on on sustainability and designing high-quality teaching spaces.
Key features: sports hall and sixth form
Double-pitched space frame roof with no central support
The sports hall’s double-pitched roof is supported by four trusses spanning 34m, with Macalloy ties helping to resist spreading.
Exposed structure
Close co-ordination with the architect, Buckley Gray Yeoman, allowed for the steel structure to be exposed.
Construction on busy school site
Careful sequencing and logistics, including off-site prefabrication, enabled the school to remain open during construction.
Exposed concrete slabs with integrated lighting
The sixth form’s lower floors include exposed fair-faced concrete slabs to create clean ceiling soffits and increase floor-to-ceiling heights and thermal mass, aiding natural ventilation.
01-03
Overall site view
Key features: performing arts centre
Efficient construction during school holidays
The new triple-height steel and CLT structure was constructed in just over a week, during summer holidays, to avoid impacting the school year.
Flexible 300-person performance auditorium
The 790m² performing arts space comprises a 300-seat auditorium with retractable seating.
Option for natural light or ‘black box’
The space can be operated as a theatrical ‘black box’ or transformed into a naturally‐lit learning space through revealing the three‐storey windows.
Suspended tension wire grid
The new tension wire grid allows students to alter lighting and stage configurations, enabling theatre production to be in the curriculum from an early age.
Extra teaching spaces
Within the new building, music and drama teaching areas have been incorporated.
‘Channing School have worked with Heyne Tillett Steel since 2012, spanning 3 major projects including our state‐of‐the‐art Performing Arts Building. Throughout this time, I have found HTS to be highly professional, flexible and pragmatic. Their attention to detail ensures they understand the brief well and provide a high level of quality assurance. They are excellent at communicating with the school and the project team on various options / solutions.’
Roy Hill, Estates Bursar, Channing School
Awards
Overall site view
Performing Arts Building
Performing Arts Building
