After a nine-year period of renovation and refurbishment, the building, originally designed by Sir Basil Spence and opened as the Gardner Arts Centre as part of University of Sussex campus in 1969, reopened to the public in 2016. The building takes its new title in tribute of the University’s former Chancellor Lord (Richard) Attenborough and his family.
The building was restored by RH Partnership architects, working in collaboration with Anne Minors Performance Consultants and Sound Space Design. The architects’ restoration of the Grade II* listed building was nominated for a RIBA regional award in 2017.
The space hosts a state-of-the-art flexible auditorium with up to 350 seats (480 standing), studio areas, rehearsal spaces, meeting rooms and a new café bar.