DRAPERS HALL

DRAPERS HALL IN COVENTRY AS A CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE

November 2013

This summary report has been prepared for the purpose of a Develop-

DRAPERS HALL

ers Forum in Coventry and to introduce the proposals by Music Coventry for the re-use of the Drapers Hall. Brief History At the very centre of Coventry - within the outer bailey of the Norman castle, Drapers Hall Bayley Lane is the third building on this site for the citys Drapers who have their origin in the guilds of the Middle Ages and over 500 years were a focus for business, training, standards and trade protection. Whilst weaving was a domestic operation and most of the bleaching and dying was carried out in the tenterfields by the River Sherbourne, the current St Mary Street (1863) was previously known as The Drapery; not a highway but a bustling market environment within long sheds displaying bolts of cloth. By the early C19th., the role of the Company of Drapers was outmoded and it was here that the rump of the organisation erected a ballroom, a tea room and a card room in 1832. Later phases were to follow along Bayley Lane as sites became available; a new card room and ladies dressing area (1864), then a Board Room and Sumnors (Summoner) House (1890). The original architects were Rickman & Hutchinson (1832) and the local practices of Charles Hansom (the orchestra 1841) and E Burgess (1890) worked on it subsequently. The site is within a Conservation Area and the building is listed as Grade II* The buildings were last used as a Youth Magistrate Court and, although well maintained and in a good condition, have remained vacant since 1997. The original late Regency parts, with a corridor route and the suite of three rooms, is the most significant part. The absence of windows - these parts were totally blind and the spaces relied upon roof lanterns for light and ventilation - was a product of the restricted site. With no windows and a heavily porticoed entrance; for the early C18th Drapers this clubby privacy and a sense of condescension may not have been unwanted.

The designs shown here have been discussed with the Coventry City Council and with English Heritage and in October an application for a grant of approx. 2m to Heritage Lottery Fund successfully moved to the Second stage. The designs are progressing and these illustrations and text are to help explain to the Developers Forum the logic and why decisions have been made to date. The designs may well be further adapted following consultation prior to being a planning application and listed building consent and therefore cannot be relied upon and should be used only in connection with the presentation to the Developers Forum.

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Site

Site

These images reflect the historic aspects of the site and the building.

Lower Floor

DRAPERS HALL

Upper Floor

Proposed Circulation Analysis

Ballroom

Green Room

New Bar

New route to ballroom

Original Board Room 1890 The images show the proposed circulation and linkages, photographs of the rear and of the archaeology which will be part of the external auditorium; also a sketch of how the atrium would attach. The brick arched opening and the mirror beneath the Orchestra - on the interior photograph of the ballroom - show how access from a store to the ballroom could be made with minimum impact on the historic envelope and restore the classical format of the ballroom.

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Cloth, colour (and dye) was part of the drapers business. The images show Drapers Hall in London and we can expect much of the sumptuous colour palette, chandeliers, etc. to have once been in Coventrys ballroom which is shown in its current state, above. These 1832 parts, which include the ballroom, will be restored to their former glory. The challenge to the architect of restoring the original to the very best historic examples and, at the same time, providing an open and approachable design - particularly for young people - for what is generally accepted to be a forboding exterior is reflected in two instances; first the new entrance area and secondly the only intervention to the existing historic fabric. Top image shows a bright, light and open foyer and exhibition area that is the new and inviting entrance to the Drapers Hall. Below (right), a the proposal at the curved corner at a point immediately opposite the University Square and the entrance to the Herbert and it is at this point that an attractive shop window for the collection of sheet music would attract people towards the Drapers Hall. Also, see the sketch on the front cover that includes the above two and the newly restored domes

The proposed use is a centre for music in the city to combine the needs of the University and its School of Performing Arts faculty for performance and rehearsal space and accommodation for Coventry Performing Arts in Schools to come together and form Music Coventry to develop an interest in music in the city and particularly the youth. Drapers Hall will also become a regional venue for performances and exhibitions

DRAPERS HALL

open to the public and a base for the national collection of sheet music. PCPT were appointed to carry out a feasibility study in 2012 to ascertain the potential for this use and the extent of the works required in the context of an important Grade II* listing. Sometimes the best use for a listed building is that which it was originally designed for and in the case of Drapers Hall the existing parts were ideally suitable for performance, rehearsal and the shortfall in the essentials of a modern venue:

Circulation, means of escape and full access - particularly for disabled Storage for seating, large instruments (including grand pianos), light rigs, sound desks and performance aides Toilets for public use, services and plant A controlled entrance, reception, ticketing and accessible public exhibition space

were capable of being far better provided in a modern extension which would result in less intrusion of the historic fabric. The extension opens out on to the large open-air space which continues as a poplar meeting space but can become an occasional auditorium setting for outside performances with the Drapers Halls large expanse of brick still visible through glazed walls. The 1832 parts and their roof lanterns will be restored in full to a creditable and accurate original setting with the wall painting, drapery, and features including fire places, mirrors, etc. The well designed integration of acoustic measures, structure, ventilation and services throughout is seen as an essential. A further feature is access to the roof which will open up a fourth elevation of roof lanterns, domes and which will be especially compelling as a garden terrace in the evenings, with unique views of the two cathedrals and the University Square. A drop off point for disabled and young students, a vehicle pull in for level loading directly into the store and plug in for outside broadcast vehicles is all included in the design.

The images opposite show one element of the new build rear extension (this part comprises the toilets and storage) as a simple, elegant glass cladding forming the swirls of drapery which could be used to project images and colour in the events and auditorium area to the rear. Also, the existing roofscape to be discovered as a fourth elevation with a garden to create a quiet contemplative space for the benefit of users.

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Music Coventry c/o THE ALAN EDWARD HIGGS CHARITY Ricoh Arena Phoenix Way Coventry CV6 6GE 024 7622 1311

PCPT Architects 84 Spencer Street Jewellery Quarter Birmingham B18 6DS 0121 236 7070 design@pcptarchitects.co.uk