T H E D R I L L
PolkeyCollins Associates have worked closely with Lincoln College to develop a solution to bring life back into the vacant Lincoln Drill Hall. The brief centred around the college and how the people of Lincoln can benefit from the use of the building and its facilities as a space for arts, culture and teaching. In 2021 Lincoln College Group secured ownership of the building with the plan to invest heavily in the space both as community hub for entertainment, but also as an extension to their current teaching offering.
PolkeyCollins Associates have worked closely with Lincoln College to develop a solution to bring life back into the vacant Lincoln Drill Hall. The brief centred around the college and how the people of Lincoln can benefit from the use of the building and its facilities as a space for arts, culture and teaching. Earlier this year the Lincoln College Group secured ownership of the building with the plan to invest heavily in the space both as community hub for entertainment, but also as an extension to their current teaching offering.
The first phase of development tied in with the college's programme to run the 2021 Christmas pantomime. They therefore wanted to focus on the general public's user experience and how they use the building outside of the auditorium and ancillary spaces. This involved refurbishment across key areas such as the foyer, bar, box office, washrooms and restaurant. The first area we focused on was the box office as this is the first space users experience on entering the building.
The original box office utilised the space poorly and it felt cramped as the original desk projected far into the room and users often clashed in the space as they were arriving, using the box office or waiting for others. The proposal sets about creating an arrival where users are guided through the space and clear routes are defined by planters. The space also acts as a digital advertisement area showcasing "what's on" and the ability to collect tickets from kiosks or the box office.
The original box office utilised the space poorly and it felt cramped as the original desk projected far into the room and users often clashed in the space as they were arriving, using the box office or waiting for others. The proposal sets about creating an arrival where users are guided through the space and clear routes are defined by planters. The space also acts as a digital advertisement area showcasing "what's on" and the ability to collect tickets from kiosks or the box office.
The material and finishes selection centred around the college's rebranding strategy. The Drill Hall already had a fantastic foyer with decorative masonry detailing and a double height space which created a grand sense of arrival. We decided to focus on using contemporary finishes, and using a range of rich colours and textures to reference the golden age of theatre. The materials were sympathetic to the college's budget and provided a look, suitable for traditional theatre performances but also for their expanded entertainment programme. relocated the bar to the foyer space to best utilise the flow of people from the auditorium and create a space to congregate and meet.
