Quad, Market Place, Derby

QUAD, Market Place

Simon Foote Architects has completed work on transforming the ground floor interior of QUAD, Derby's arts and multimedia centre.

The brief was to convert the existing open-plan layout and create a space with more clearly defined areas, whilst at the same time retaining the feel of openness and visual accessibility.  The project included redesigning and refurbishing the main entrance, box office and reception, the cafe/bar area and kitchen, and the entrance into the art gallery.

Simon Foote's designs have introduced a solid oak and walnut glazed screen between the cafe/bar and the main reception area, and rationalised the functionality of the counters and back of house areas.  This has created clear visual links between the individual spaces.

QUAD's refurbishment features a bespoke walnut bulkhead, which links the box office to the cafe area, and a bar servery with a vertical oak-clad facade and stone worktops, which mirror the relocated box office.  Lighting includes designs by Tom Dixon, Lorosae and Kaiser Idell.

The biggest challenge of the project was to increase the number of seats in the cafe, whilst reducing the floor area in order to enlarge the size of the kitchen - all without extending the actual building.

The result is an intimate, accessible and welcoming re-working of the already popular arts centre.