“The ‘Open Up’ project aims significantly to enhance the experience for the public, artists and guest companies, to create new opportunities to inspire audiences with our art forms and to help this wonderful place come alive throughout the day as one of London’s great cultural assets.
We have selected celebrated architects Stanton Williams, after an international competition, to help us realise our objectives. Their respect for our heritage, appreciation of our London context, and award-winning flair will deliver a Royal Opera House fit for the twenty first century”Alex Beard, Chief Executive, Royal Opera House
The ‘Open Up’ project’s principal objective is to transform the public’s experience of the Royal Opera House at its Covent Garden home. It will offer a series of legible and flexible spaces that can be inhabited and curated by the Royal Opera House and aims to bring a sense of the magic that is created each night on stage to the public areas.
A new glazed extension and entrance on Bow Street will provide passers-by with a clear view of the activities taking place inside. An improved entrance onto the Covent Garden Piazza with additional foyer space will present and display the work of the Royal Opera House and encourage visitors to enjoy the building throughout the day as well as the evening.
The project includes a second theatre for the Royal Opera House within the shell of the Linbury Studio Theatre. The brief is to create a space that has warmth, comfort, and a distinct character, adaptable to different staging formats.
Stanton Williams’ design will bring it to the fore as a world class mid-scale theatre and an artistic laboratory for both the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera Companies. Source by Stanton Williams.
Location: London, UK
Architect: Stanton Williams
Structural and Services Engineers: Arup
Theatre Consultant: Charcoalblue
Access Consultants: All Clear Designs
Project Management Consultants: Equals Consulting
Cost Consultant: Gardiner & Theobald
Planning Consultant: Gerald Eve
Catering Consultant: Kendrick Hobbs
Lighting Consultant: Studio Fractal
Client: Royal Opera House
Images: Stanton Williams