Beca has worked with the British International School (BIS) in Jakarta since 1991, when they prepared a master planning document to assist the school in relocating to a new site. Since then the school has continued to grow and require new facilities.
A recent addition is the new international quality BIS World Theatre (completed in 2007). It is a 2137m2 complex with three theatre spaces, with the main theatre seating 800 people.
Flexibility was a key issue in the design. A combination of loose and retractable seating means the venue can seat 20 and still feel like a full house. Other features also allow for multi-use of space:
- The stage includes an orchestra pit lift that allows infinite adjustment from stage level to main floor level to a lower orchestra pit level. With the lift at main floor level, the space can be used for exams, dances, science fairs, career days and art displays.
- The black box experimental theatre offers a flexible teaching space, but is also capable of seating 200 people.
- The foyer contains a false stage for small gatherings, presentations, staff dances or music performances during intermissions.
- The green room doubles as a dance studio or teaching space. Dressing rooms have dividers to allow them to be split into smaller rooms of adjustable sizes.
As with the other buildings on the BIS campus, Beca was careful to keep the form and materials representative of the school and traditional indigenous architecture.