Originally accommodating a juvenile court, educational spaces and the Curtain Theatre, Toynbee Studios are now operated by Artsadmin as a resource for artists, providing rehearsal and administrative spaces and a cafe.
We were commissioned following an ‘ideas’ competition to reorganise, improve and expand their facilities. Key to the design concept is the positioning of a new foyer at ground level, connected to a shared courtyard which acts as a focus for arriving artists, performers and visitors. The foyer, with new glazed doors, can be viewed from Commercial Street and highlights the entrance, guiding visitors to the new café bar, theatre and studios beyond. The new rooftop dance studio also acts as a glazed landmark, revealing activity within and offering superb views across London.
Reconfiguring a complex series of existing buildings to provide new and improved performance and rehearsal facilities.