Royal Opera House London Architecture, Covent Garden Building Photo, Architect, Design

Royal Opera House London Architecture

Covent Garden Arts Building, London design by Dixon.Jones Architects, UK

6 Feb 2013

Royal Opera House Building Redevelopment

Royal Opera House London

6th of February 2013

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE SELECTS STANTON WILLIAMS ARCHITECTS FOR ‘OPEN UP’ FEASIBILITY STUDY

Following final presentations to the jury at the end of January, the Board of Trustees of the Royal Opera House has selected Stanton Williams Architects to carry out a feasibility study for the ‘Open Up’ project.

ROH photograph by Rob Moore, courtesy of the Royal Opera House

This decision marks the culmination of a six month competition process involving seven firms of architects. The jury, comprising members of the Royal Opera House executive team and a number of external advisors, had invited Stanton Williams Architects and Witherford Watson Mann Architects to complete further work in response to a refined brief issued in December.

‘Open Up’ will make the physical entrances and street level public areas to the building more open and inviting. The project will also develop existing spaces, such as the Linbury Studio Theatre and Paul Hamlyn Hall, and make the creative, technical and education work of the Royal Opera House more visible to more people.

In turn this will enhance the appeal of the Covent Garden building as a destination in itself. The project does not affect the main auditorium.

The Royal Opera House will be looking to reduce its use of energy and resources throughout the project as part of an ongoing strategy embedding ‘green thinking’ into all areas of ROH operations.

Photo from 12 Nov 2012:

photo © Adrian Welch

Simon Robey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Opera House, said ‘Stanton Williams have demonstrated a clear vision for what the next evolution of our building can achieve showing sensitivity, skill and creativity. There is such potential to open our building to wider audiences throughout the day and we look forward to working in partnership with Stanton Williams to develop these plans over the next few months.’

Stanton Williams added ‘We are really excited about working with the Royal Opera House on their vision to open up this exceptional building to a wider public. We look forward to developing our ideas further in the coming months.’

The architectural competition and feasibility process is being funded by private supporters of the Royal Opera House. On completion of the feasibility study, the funds necessary to move to the next phase of the project will also need to be raised from private sources.

Royal Opera House Feasibility Study image / information from Stanton Williams Architects

Royal Opera House Feasibility Study appointment : Stanton Williams, Architects

Royal Opera House Redevelopment

The shortlist has been announced for the refurbishment of this famous institution designed by Dixon.Jones Architects and located in Covent Garden.

Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Royal Opera House Invited Competition shortlist:

– Amanda Levete Architects
– Heatherwick Studio
– Caruso St John
– Jamie Fobert

photos © Nick Weall

Completed in 2000 the building proved popular with the general public but was controversial amongst some contemporary architects in that it made strong use of neoclassical elements.

The mass of the building was cleverly softened on the two facades facing the tourist magnet of Covent Garden using arcades.

photos © Adrian Welch