How Cool Is That?

摘要

Back in 1971, audiences at one of Hull Truck Theatre's performances would have been fairly forgiving of their surroundings. After all, the theatre company at the time was operating out of the back of a van and when in the early eighties it finally settled in a permanent home, that was a converted Methodist chapel. But this week it moves into swanky new premises where expectations will be a lot higher. Despite this, the designers have shunned the comforts of an air-conditioned box and instead opted for a design that only sips energy. Sandy Wright of architect Wright & Wrightrnexplains that sustainability wasn't particularly high on the agenda at first, but when he suggested going for the low-energy, passively ventilated approach, the client bought into the idea. The concept is simple. Instead of using energy-hungry fans to keep the densely packed 400-seat auditorium comfortable, it channels fresh air into the space at low level and relies on the natural buoyancy created by the heat of the audience and lighting to carry the stale air upwards and out of the building.