WIA_ISSUE2_2023

BIG PICTURE
The lighting of the Susie Sainsbury Theatre
deconstructs the traditional chandelier into an
exploding theatre-wide galaxy of light through
600 fibre-optic crystals. Within the old concrete
walls, the theatre incorporates 40% more
seating than previously through the addition of a
balcony, as well as a larger orchestra pit, a stage
wing and a fly tower. All seats have unimpeded
views of the stage, while the larger orchestra pit
allows for an expanded repertoire choice, from
early to modern opera and musical theatre.
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 230m 2 space for
recording, public concerts and masterclasses.
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.
Enhancing the Academy’s circulation routes
and creating a visual and physical link between
the old and new buildings is the recital hall’s
new glazed lobby, which is primarily accessed
from the main stairway dating from 1911, and
by a glazed lift. The new light wells reveal the
previously concealed Grade II rear facade,
in which bricked-up windows have been
reopened improving the ambience of many
practice rooms.
1 2
These beautiful and acoustically amazing
spaces can be accessed independently and,
together with the existing David Josefowitz
Recital Hall and Duke’s Hall, complete a
suite of facilities for the Academy’s student
body and teaching staff and for public
performances.
“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,”
said Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, principal, Royal
Academy of Music.
References
1. ritchie*studio. The Architectural Historian Issue 12, 2021.
1 The oak-lined Angela Burgess Recital Hall
2 The oculus floods the room with light
3 Cherry-lined walls of the theatre to deliver
ideal acoustic qualities
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WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2– 2023 21