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Thu March 28 2024

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WSP and Ritchie get Royal Academy of Music gig

29 May 14 Structural engineer WSP and Ian Ritchie Architects have been appointed by the Royal Academy of Music to design a major redevelopment of its opera theatre on its Regent’s Park campus.

Forty percent more seating and improved acoustics
Forty percent more seating and improved acoustics

The Royal Academy of Music is Britain's longest-established conservatoire and the second-oldest music academy in the world. Its current theatre opened in 1976 and seats 230 people. As part of the redevelopment the theatre will have an enlarged balcony to increase seating by 40%, a new rooftop recital hall, and adjacent areas for entertaining guests before performances. The theatre will also benefit from improved seating, full accessibility and an enlarged orchestra pit to create more space. A quieter air-conditioning system will also be installed.

WSP director Bill Price said: “This is a great opportunity to improve an important theatre by bringing it up to the high standards that the academy expects. When finished there will be more space for more people to enjoy the great performances put on by students. In particular, the improvements we are making to the orchestral pit will enhance the auditorium’s acoustics as more of the enlarged pit will be uncovered.”

WSP previously worked on the new Guildhall School of Music concert hall at Milton Court.

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