Farrat are exceptionally proud to have provided the acoustic isolation solutions for the Royal Academy of Music theatre and new recital hall redevelopment, at Regent’s Park in central London.
The redevelopment was a unique and complicated acoustic project, with an impressive project team including: Ian Ritchie Architects, Arup, WSP structures, Ulrike Brandi Licht and Geoffrey Osborne Ltd.
The new acoustically diverse spaces complete a suite of facilities for the Academy’s talented and ambitious teaching staff and student body:
- The Susie Sainsbury Theatre – Designed for both opera and musical theatre productions, the theatre sits at the heart of the Academy with a seating capacity of 309.The theatre has been acoustically refined to deliver outstanding sound qualities, so that the space can act as the final chamber for the human voice, enhancing and perfecting the sound qualities.
- The Angela Burgess Recital Hall – Created directly above the theatre, the recital hall has been acoustically isolated from all other parts of the building, and provides the Academy with a further 230m² of space and 100 seats.
Farrat Technical Director, Ryan Arbabi, provided technical guidance on how to acoustically separate the two performance spaces to achieve an exceptionally high level of sound insulation, within the constraints of both the existing building’s structural capacity and the architect’s ambitious (and truly beautiful) aesthetic agenda. The redevelopment project has been praised with a host of awards since its completion. Some of the projects most acclaimed include;
- Winner 2018 RIBA National Award
- Winner 2018 RIBA London Building of the Year Award
- Winner 2018 RIBA London Award
- Winner 2018 RICS London Award – Leisure & Tourism category
- Winner 2018 NLA Award – Culture & Community category
- Commended 2018 ANC Acoustic Awards – Building Acoustics category
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal, Royal Academy of Music has also praised the project, adding:
‘The spaces are stunningly beautiful, acoustically brilliant and inspiring. They will raise the bar and challenge the students and staff in every possible form of music to reach higher and search further.’
Photography Credits: All images courtesy of Adam Scott Images
