Stubbs Rich wins award for Komedia
Bath architects, Stubbs Rich have won this year's Design Quality Award for their work on Komedia Bath, now an iconic landmark and award-winning arts venue within the city.
The Building and Design Quality Awards scheme was set up ten years ago by B.A.N.E.S. to recognise high standards of workmanship, project management and excellence in design, amongst local developers and builders. An independent, qualified panel of architects for the Design Quality Award said: "Stubbs Rich have breathed new life into this worthy Art-Deco building, and created an excellent venue."
Work on the project began back in mid 2008. Stubbs Rich needed to transform the old Beau Nash Picture House from a down-at-heel cinema to a high quality auditorium able to hold 500 people, as well as integrating Hugh Fearley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Café within the listed building structure.
John Rich, chief designer behind the project, comments: "Collaborating with local media and arts communities is something that we find particularly invigorating and fits with our art-based agenda. We believe that bringing vibrant new uses to existing buildings in the city is vitally important. After just 18 months, Komedia Bath is well established as a hugely popular, cutting edge arts venue in the South West. Our design award is another part of that success story."
Stubbs Rich is nearing completion on another exciting project: a brand new centre for the Student Union at Bath University, due to open for the start of the academic year in September. The development will upgrade and extend the existing facilities, providing the Union with much needed additional retail space, office and support accommodation, as well as a substantial social hub around a central staircase and light well.
Komedia Bath is home to the Krater Comedy Club, which recently won the Chortle Award for Best Comedy Venue in the West & Wales 2010. For May/June listings of comedy, music, cabaret, cinema and club nights, visit www.komedia.co.uk/bath.
