Two Minutes with our Architect Ian Chalk

Each month we will be interviewing someone within the Arts Theatre or project team, to share our memories of the theatre and a behind the scenes look at our transformational redevelopment.

What first attracted you to Cambridge Arts Theatre’s redevelopment project?
It’s a listed building with lots of history on a tricky site, which is the type of project we enjoy. Once we’d also met the team we knew we were keen to try and win it…

Have you worked on similar projects at other theatres before?
Yes, we have a number of theatre, events or community arts projects, either complete or on the drawing board in the studio. We also have a lot of experience in adding complex rooftop spaces on existing buildings, so the studio theatre component of the project suited us.

What is your favourite part of the architectural process?
That’s a difficult question, as the role of an architect offers such varied experiences. The process has its challenges and is hard work, but is also extremely rewarding. It crosses over so many areas of interest, be that: physics, chemistry, maths, geography, history, people, communities - all wrapped up in one project. Fundamentally, whilst we enjoy researching, drawing, making and crafting, being involved in healthy conversations and design debates, they are all enjoyable processes en route to crafting a real building with spaces for people to use.