Refurbishment: L-R Andrew Todd, Professor Michael Farthing, Michael Attenborough and Professor Sally Jane Norman discuss plans for the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) as they tour the former Gardner building.

Sussex alumnus and theatre director Michael Attenborough took a tour of the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) this week, to view plans for the future of the architecturally unique building and to see how its refurbishment is coming along.

Mr Attenborough is the son of the University's former Chancellor, the film director Lord (Richard) Attenborough. The former Gardner building has been renamed as the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts as a tribute to the involvement of Lord Attenborough and his family with both the University and the arts.

Lord Attenborough's daughter Jane, also a Sussex graduate and the highly respected founder of Dance UK, died in 2004; she will be commemorated in the naming of a dedicated room within the Centre.

Mr Attenborough was shown around the building by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, and ACCA's Director, Professor Sally-Jane Norman. She said: "The Attenborough name at the University of Sussex represents a vibrant legacy and an exciting responsibility."

The University has appointed Studio Andrew Todd, an architectural practice that specialises in the refurbishment of listed theatres, to come up with designs for the refurbished building.

Andrew Todd showed Mr Attenborough the latest plans, which will provide a flexible auditorium with various seating options and a probable maximum capacity of 400-450. Exhibition space will be integral to the design, as will a quality café and social area. Different-sized studios are also being planned.

Sally-Jane pointed out that ACCA is "a flagship brand for creative activity at Sussex, as much as a physical building". She added: "Its activity is developing vigorously."