Sussex Estates and Facilities

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you have any questions not covered here, please email acca@sussex.ac.uk and we can add them here.

Refurbishment of the building

Q Why is the refurbishment taking so long?
A Regular use of the Gardner Centre was abandoned several years ago; it is in a state of disrepair, is a Grade II*listed building (which means any works require approval by English Heritage), does not provide access in line with requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA); and lacks contemporary infrastructure. A carefully phased planning and building process will return the building to use as soon as possible. Meanwhile, there has already been lots of activity behind the scenes: the establishment of a steering group to develop the brief for the new centre, engagement with architects and construction specialists, the appointment of a director, planning of new academic programmes, etc.

Q Will there be changes to the internal layout?
A Yes, to bring it closer to its original design. Features that were later grafted onto the initial building will be removed, to affirm its English Heritage listed status and unique architectural potential. Changes to the internal layout will mainly consist of prioritising coherent circulation and spaces to enhance usage.

Q Will there be new seating?
A Yes. The now decrepit auditorium seating, installed on temporary platform structures in the 1980s, is unsafe and has been removed. New bleacher seating will allow ready reconfiguration of the auditorium as initially intended by the architect Sir Basil Spence and theatre consultant Sean Kenny. Capacity will be about 300-350.

Q Is the stage going to be changed?
A The stage will be realigned more closely with the original design, with the creation of a level floor auditorium. Possibilities to modify performance space/s will be reintroduced as per the initial plans of the architect Sir Basil Spence and theatre consultant Sean Kenny.

Cost of the refurbishment

Q How much is the refurbishment costing?
A The estimated cost of refurbishment is £7.2m.

Q Why has the cost gone up from the original estimate of £4.8m to £7.2m?
A The building is in a state of disrepair and professional survey work since it was returned to the University has identified a backlog of long-term maintenance work costing £1m; this is being funded from existing long-term maintenance budgets. The building will offer 33% more space than originally envisaged by opening out the area underneath the main auditorium. Reclaiming this extra space, providing a better grouping of cultural resources on campus, will cost another £1.4m, funded from the University's capital budget.

Q How is the refurbishment being funded?
A The cost of refurbishment is being met from the University's capital budget and from existing long-term maintenance budgets.

Q How can you justify spending £7.2m on refurbishing a building at a time of cuts to funding in higher education?
A There would be a substantial cost even if we did not refurbish it. An empty, derelict building still needs to be maintained so that it is not a health and safety hazard - and that costs money, which rises steeply over a prolonged period.

The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) building

Q When is the building reopening?
A The building will become accessible in 2014.

Q What's it going to be used for?
A Activities will include:

  • Shows, exhibitions and performances created by students and research staff;
  • Literary events (e.g. poetry, drama, readings);
  • Screenings and streamed events;
  • Symposia and conferences;
  • Residencies with national and international companies or practitioners;
  • Exchanges and co-commissions with other universities, research centres and venues;
  • Links to Brighton's festival seasons;
  • Special commissions generated by arts schools or the University centrally;
  • Workshops (including a range of teaching and practical/practitioner-based activities).

Q Will there be a café/bar?
A A café/ bar/social space is key to the design brief; the light-filled main lobby is designed to serve this function.

Q Will it be hosting outside performers again? Will it be a receiving house?
A Yes, the Attenborough Centre will collaborate with cultural organisations as part of its remit to develop Sussex's creative identity and networks. We will prioritise artists and partners whose work involves productive links with University of Sussex research and teaching programmes. This way, the Centre will be a "receiving house" for people who "give" to the University, in a spirit of co-development and co-production.

Q Will the building be showing films, as the Gardner Arts Centre did?
A Yes, Attenborough Centre will be showing films, performances and new media work, and will also be equipped to stream live activities to and from partner venues.

Q Will the Attenborough Centre be open to the public?
A Yes, the Centre will be open to the public for regular performances, screenings, displays and exhibitions, etc. It will be a key venue for experimental and new media work arising from, or in association with, University of Sussex research and teaching. Activities previously enjoyed by Gardner Arts Centre enthusiasts will be largely revived in the Attenborough Centre, in fittingly 21st-century form and as an integral part of the University's creative research and teaching agenda.