Royal Opera House London, Covent Garden

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.

Royal Opera House Covent Garden
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:
Royal Opera House
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

Royal Opera House Covent Garden Royal Opera House Royal Opera House Building Royal Opera House London
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.

Royal Opera House building Royal Opera House London building Covent Garden market building Covent Garden market
photos © Adrian Welch

Royal Opera House London

Covent Garden, central London
2000
Design: Dixon.Jones Architects

Location: immediately northeast of Covent Garden market building

Royal Opera House architects : Jeremy Dixon & Ed Jones

Royal Opera House Royal Opera House Royal Opera House
photos © Adrian Welch

Royal Opera House Royal Opera House
photos © Adrian Welch

Twisting Bridge, between Royal Ballet School & Royal Opera House, Floral St
2003
Wilkinson Eyre Architects
2001 architecture competition winner

Royal Opera House Building context : Covent Garden
Royal Opera House Building
photo © Adrian Welch

Location: Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

London, England, UK

London Buildings

Contemporary London Architecture

London Architecture Designs – chronological list

London Architecture Walking Tours by e-architect

London Architecture Offices

London Architecture

Royal Academy of Arts London

St Paul’s Cathedral

Royal Courts of Justice London
Royal Courts of Justice London
photo © Nick Weall

London

Buildings by Dixon Jones

Kings Place London

National Portrait Gallery

Comments / photos for the Royal Opera House London Architecture page welcome

Website: www.roh.org.uk