Topping out ceremony at The House - Plymouth University's new performing arts centre

A landmark project that will provide Plymouth with a first class performance, education and research space is nearing completion.

A topping out ceremony has been held at The House, Plymouth University’s new £7 million performing arts centre, which will be open in time for the new intake of students in September 2014.

Furthering the commitment to investing in world class research and creating outstanding student opportunities, the state-of-the-art building will enhance the University’s growing global reputation for innovation and excellence in the arts.

The House – designed by Burwell Deakins and being built by Midas Construction – will also complement existing city venues, and enhance Plymouth’s aim to be the cultural hub of the South West.

Professor David Coslett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “The House is an exciting new venue that will play a major role in nurturing emerging talent, and enriching the city’s cultural provision. Placing Plymouth alongside other leading providers of higher education in theatre and dance in the UK, it will inspire our students to perform to their full potential in state-of-the-art surroundings. It will also provide our world class researchers with a venue where they can continue to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity.”

Mike O'Neil, Midas Construction divisional director for Cornwall and Devon, said: “Midas is delighted to reach the topping out stage of this fantastic building. During this build we have used over 20 local sub-contractors and over 90 per cent of the skills we have brought on to site have been from the local area, which is a great for employment and the city’s economy.”

Situated opposite the iconic Roland Levinsky Building and the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, The House will provide a specialist teaching and learning environment with facilities to rival the best in the South West. Versatile and fully accessible, the building is being developed to BREEAM Excellent Standards.

Its 200-capacity, sprung-floor theatre, studio spaces and advanced technology will provide an exciting new performance platform, creating a first-class touring venue for Plymouth, helping to foster community engagement and attracting artists of national and international standing.

It will also incorporate a high-tension wire grid – one of very few in the UK - enabling wheelchair access for students with disabilities to develop expertise in technical theatre including lighting, sound and scenography.

The House will provide opportunities to develop new partnerships, projects and research initiatives. It will also be the base for the University’s world-leading Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research. Led by Professor Eduardo Miranda, the Centre will continue to develop its research into intelligent musical systems and see the emergence of new research areas such as the neuroscience of music and evolutionary computer music.