Context

Hidden behind the listed façade of the Royal Academy of Music’s Edwardian premises, surrounded by Grade I and Grade II listed buildings and located within the Regent’s Park conservation area, two distinct, outstanding performance spaces have been designed by Ritchie Studio (formerly Ian Ritchie Architects) and seamlessly integrated within the historic site.

Theatre

Designed for both opera and musical theatre productions, The Susie Sainsbury Theatre sits at the heart of the Academy. Inspired by the curved shapes of string instruments, the 309-seat cherry-lined Susie Sainsbury Theatre has been acoustically refined to deliver excellent sound qualities. Within the boundary walls, the Theatre incorporates 40% more seating than previously through the addition of a balcony, a larger orchestra pit, stage wing and fly tower. All seats offer excellent sightlines to the stage, while the larger orchestra pit expands repertoire choice from early to modern opera and musical theatre. The lighting deconstructs the traditional chandelier into an exploding theatre-wide galaxy of light through 600 fibre-optic crystals.

Recital Hall

Above the Theatre, and acoustically isolated from it and all other buildings, the new 100-seat Angela Burgess Recital Hall provides the Academy with a further 230m2 space for recording, public concerts and master classes. Entirely lined in pale, lime-washed oak, an oculus floods the room with daylight and provides the space with a central focus. The Recital Hall has a footprint as large as that of the main stage, providing an ideal rehearsal space.

Circulation Spaces

Accessed primarily from the Main Stair, dating from 1911, a glazed lobby to the Recital Hall enhances the Academy’s circulation routes, creating a visual and physical link between the old and new buildings. The new light well reveals the previously concealed Grade II rear façade, in which bricked-up windows have been reopened, improving the ambience of many practice rooms.

In addition to providing access to the Recital Hall, the introduction of a new glazed lift means that the Theatre is now fully accessible, connecting the new Theatre Lobby on the Ground Floor with both the Stalls and Balcony levels.

The new lift also provides access to the Basement accommodation, including the newly refurbished Percussion Studios and Practice Rooms.

Result

“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.”
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal, Royal Academy of Music

The completed spaces are a testament to the hard work of the professional design team, the contractor and their subcontractors, and the patience, will, determination and support of the Royal Academy of Music.

The Tour Route

The building tour begins in the Edwardian foyer of the Royal Academy of Music. Visitors will then move to the contemporary theatre lobby where the architects will introduce the 2018 retrofit.
We will then ascend to the theatre stalls and balcony within which the architects will explain the design and performance of the theatre.
The tour will then route via the Edwardian main staircase before entering the contemporary glazed recital hall lobby.
We will then move into the Recital Hall where the architects will explain the design and approach of this contemporary performance and recording space.
The tour concludes by descending the Edwardian main staircase and ending in the theatre foyer where the architects will be available to answer any questions about the building.