Tuffin Ferraby Taylor - Offices Development - Bristol, Old Vic Theatre School

Date: 13 Jul 2006

Building consultancy Tuffin Ferraby Taylor (TFT) has been treading the boards at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS) - an international centre of excellence for training in the performing arts. TFT was recruited to oversee a £4m package of works, including a 10-year planned maintenance schedule, together with the project management, cost consultancy, access consultancy and planning supervision for a new link building and rehearsal studios.

Founded by Laurence Olivier in 1946, the school has a distinguished track record in nurturing talent, numbering well-known performers such as Jeremy Irons, Miranda Richardson and Patrick Stewart among former students.

Facilities include acting studios, rehearsal rooms, sound and lighting studios, a TV control gallery, design and scenic art studios, scenery workshops, an armoury, costume storage and cutting rooms.
A £4m fundraising drive for the new development will start this year, with construction scheduled for April 2007.

"It was a very stimulating environment to work in, as people are very passionate about what they do," says TFT surveyor Fleur Ragan, who drew up the maintenance schedule. "On one visit, I even had to dodge a practice sword fight!

"The client will use our work to maintain the school's excellent work and study environments. We've also rejigged the school's building plans, to make future maintenance schedules easier to plan."
Paul Rummer, associate principal of BOVTS, is delighted by TFT's performance.

"It's been tremendous to have access to TFT's level of professional skills," he says. "When the works are complete, our buildings will have a greater sense of coherence, and be accessible to the widest possible range of people."

CGI of the soon to be build Bristol Old Vic Theatre School reception area

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