Set against the backdrop of old woodland and in front of the historic Victorian buildings of Wellington College, the GW Annenberg Performing Arts Centre’s circular shape and stained timber façade make it a thing of nature – a thing slightly apart from academia – where the school’s art, life and performance culture can evolve and thrive. For the exterior, architects Studio Seilern were inspired by the form of ancient Greek amphitheatres, but in designing its 1,400 capacity auditorium their priorities were intimacy as well as acoustic excellence. The broad rows of curved seating are stacked low and wide to encourage a feeling of