The Dream Factory

The Dream Factory is the permanent home of the Playbox Theatre group. It is targeted at young people, with the purpose of encouraging them to develop artistic and creative skills. The project was won in competition and the completed building demonstrates Howells' ability to distill the essence of an architectural brief into a logical, easily read programme. The main theatre-like performance space - The Kermesse Studio - is flexible, seating up to 300. Three storeys high, it is treated architecturally as a 'blind' box, and clad externally with polyester coated steel panels. In front of this is the smaller, glazed Jinks Studio, which is linked to the outside. This area is aimed mainly at young children. It features a dramatic, sweeping roof, which also provides shelter for out-door activities. Flanking the principle volumes are two single-storey, timber-clad ranges of support accommodation.