Opening the Quarterhouse

Alison Brooks Architect's Quarterhouse Performing Arts and Business Centre in Folkestone was officially opened in a ceremony March 5 2009. The new building follows ABA's competition win of the 2005 national 2-stage competition.

The 1550 Square meter building is the centrepiece of Folkestone's arts-led regeneration programme spearheaded by client The Creative Foundation. It includes a 220 seat, 500 standing multi-purpose auditorium for music, dance, theatre, film performances and conferences; ground floor foyer and exhibition space; first floor café/bar and a top floor business centre for start-ups in the creative industries.

Stirling Prize-winning architects ABA conceived the building as a beacon that lights up at night to express the animation of the creative life within. It is also an informal urban ‘shopfront' building that completes the curved Georgian streetscape of Tontine Street. The fluted mesh cladding was inspired by both the maritime iconography of Folkestone's historic architecture and the translucent scallop shells that arrive in Folkestone's harbour every day. Construction began in summer 2007.