ROYAL OPERA HOUSE PRODUCTION WORKSHOP BY NICHOLAS HARE ARCHITECTS


Nicholas Hare Architects

Nicholas Hare Architects were appointed by the Royal Opera House in 2007 to design a new production workshop for set construction and fabrication at a new site in Purfleet Essex.

Nicholas Hare Architects

The new building accommodates a large paint-shop for vertical and horizontal scene-painting as well as carpentry and metal workshops.

Nicholas Hare Architects

The vaulted building form is designed to allow fully assembled scenery to be seen as it will on stage, and incorporates continuous rooflights set between the deep primary structural truss members to provide even daylight with reduced glare.

Nicholas Hare Architects

The arched roof is living and planted with sedum to soak up rainwater and provide extra insulation. Long skylights curve in the roof to provide even daylight with reduced glare creating improved conditions to work under.

Nicholas Hare Architects

The cedar wood faced building has a strong presence in the new production campus at the High House Production Park, which includes restored barns and gardens.

Nicholas Hare Architects

The workshop was shortlisted for the New London Architecture Award in 2011 and the Production Campus was named Project of the Year and won the Regeneration award at the 2011 RICS East of England awards.

Nicholas Hare Architects

The scheme recently received the RIBA East Spirit of Ingenuity Award for its “dedication to light and to the craft of making”. 

Nicholas Hare Architects

“The workshop has exceeded all our expectations as a work place and is the envy of other Opera Houses around the world. It has totally transformed the way we build and paint our scenery.”

Nicholas Hare Architects
Nicholas Hare Architects
 
Nicholas Hare Architects
Nicholas Hare Architects 

Location: Purfleet Bypass, United Kingdom 
Architects: Nicholas Hare Architects 
Structural Engineer: Arup 
Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner & Theobald 
Area: 4,300 sqm 
Year: 2012 
Client: Royal Opera House 
Photographs: Hufton + Crow

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