Nottingham Girls' High School
Performing Arts Centre

The Performing Arts Centre at Nottingham Girls' High School is an ambitious new-build project, delivering a state-of-the-art facility designed to inspire creativity and support both academic and extra-curricular learning. The building houses a 334-seat auditorium, foyer, dance rehearsal studios, and comprehensive back-of-house facilities.

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The client’s brief called for a flexible, multipurpose auditorium—large enough to accommodate full year-group assemblies and adaptable for a wide range of performance and teaching uses. A central focus of the design is to support the teaching of stagecraft in all its forms, in a safe, professional-quality environment.

The auditorium incorporates advanced flexibility, including floor lifts and partitioning that enable the space to be divided into two independent teaching/performance areas. A full tension wire grid provides safe access to lighting rigs, while industry-standard equipment ensures students are trained in environments that mirror professional practice.

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Sustainability was embedded in the design approach from the outset. A naturally ventilated auditorium was proposed early in the process and enthusiastically adopted by the client, reducing energy demand, noise, and maintenance needs. This approach is reflected in the building’s distinctive sloping roofs, which assist natural air movement, and the visible integration of large supply and extract ventilation ducts.

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Internally, the use of untreated timber and clay plaster—both hygroscopic materials—works alongside the building's high thermal mass to help regulate temperature and humidity in a full auditorium. Natural daylighting is maximised throughout the building to reduce reliance on artificial lighting, and a ground source heat pump delivers efficient heating and passive cooling. Building performance is monitored via automatic sensors to maintain occupant comfort while minimising energy use.

Natural and locally sourced materials were prioritised wherever possible. A new sandstone boundary wall, a prominent design feature along Addison Street, reflects the material character of the surrounding neighbourhood. All material choices were assessed not only for performance and aesthetics, but also in terms of production impact, ensuring a responsible balance between durability, environmental impact, and performance in use.

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Located at the edge of the school campus and adjacent to residential properties, the building’s form and orientation have been carefully considered to reduce its impact on neighbours. Noise attenuation strategies were integrated to prevent sound breakout, while angled windows and stepped building heights reduce visual intrusion and preserve privacy for neighbouring homes.

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The project was delivered over an 86-week programme, which included complex groundworks and the erection of a bespoke steel frame. Operating under a traditional contract, the design team ensured tight control of both programme and budget throughout the build.

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Beyond serving the school, the Performing Arts Centre plays a vital role in community engagement. It supports and expands NGHS’s outreach programme and has established meaningful connections with local arts groups and nearby residents. These stakeholders are actively involved in the building’s ongoing management and event programming, ensuring that the facility remains an inclusive, sustainable asset for both the school and the wider Nottingham community.