Charcoalblue
Bronze Supporter
Key Personnel/Contacts
Andy Hayles – Managing Director
Gavin Green – Design Director
Jon Stevens – Creative Director
Jack Tilbury – Projects Director
Chris Spurgeon – Finance Director
Katy Alexander – Practice Manager
Mike Harvey - Finance Manager
Paul Crosbie - Senior Consultant
Gavin Owen – Senior Consultant
Giles Favell - Senior Consultant
Paul Franklin - Senior Consultant
Elena Giakoumaki - Senior Consultant
Gregory Allan – Consultant
Ben Hanson – Consultant
Ian Stickland – Consultant
Company Address
17 Short Street
Bankside
London
SE1 8LJ
UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7928 0000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7691 0454
Email: studio@charcoalblue.com
Website: www.charcoalblue.com
Business Operating Zone
UK & Europe
Recent Projects
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon
Project Budget: £112.8m
Completion: November 2010
Architect: Bennetts Associates
The
Royal Shakespeare Company have appointed Charcoalblue to assist them in
the remodelling of their 1932 Grade II* listed theatre. Following the
opening of the temporary Courtyard Theatre in 2007, the existing theatre
has been re-modelled to accommodate a thrust stage auditorium seating
around 1,000 people. The aim was to improve the relationship between
audiences and actors by bringing them closer together, reducing the
distance from the furthest seat from 27 metres to around 15 metres.
Charcoalblue provided complete design and planning consultancy services for the auditorium, foyers and backstage areas, and worked closely with the architects and the RSC in the design and integration of technical systems throughout the refurbished theatre.
The new theatre was officially opened by HRH Queen Elizabeth II on 4th March 2011. See our new microsite dedicated to this project: http://www.charcoalblue.com/RST/
Hoffmann Building, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh
Project Budget: £9.5 million
Completion: May 2009
Architect: Haworth Tompkins Architects
The Hoffmann Building at Snape Maltings is a development of several previously-derelict industrial buildings located just outside the village of Snape in Suffolk. The development comprises two new rehearsal/performance spaces, two multi-function practice rooms, office accommodation for Aldeburgh Music, a foyer and box office area, a musician’s relaxation area and a small cafe/bar.
Charcoalblue provided design and planning assistance on all aspects of the new performance areas and designed and specified the motorised seating system which allows the space to be reconfigured in a number of ways, including a format which provides space for a small orchestra for performances of chamber operas.
Charcoalblue was also responsible for designing technical systems throughout the complex in close collaboration with the Snape Maltings technical staff, including silent sinewave dimming for all lighting in the Britten Studio, an innovative patch system for the stagelighting, integrated control of all the adjustable acoustics, blackout blinds and lighting systems, and fibre-optic links to the other spaces and to the main Concert Hall.
Current Projects
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Project Budget: £25.5 million
Anticipated Completion: Autumn 2011
Architect: Keith Williams Architects
25 years ago, a 1930s Odeon cinema in Canterbury was converted into the present Marlowe Theatre. The aim of the refurbishment project is to renew the space to provide extra seating capacity, improved public areas, and updated stage facilities to attract a wider range of performing companies than can be housed at present. The development of an educational programme for young people is also an essential part of the scheme.
Charcoalblue has worked hand-in-hand with the client and the architect to help them clarify and develop their vision, and to deliver a building which can accommodate opera, ballet, dance, musicals, pantomime, popular concerts and drama.
Charcoalblue is widely regarded as the most exciting and innovative theatre consultancy in the UK. In 2004 our founders Andy Hayles, Gavin Green, Jon Stevens and Jack Tilbury set out to create something different. Since then we have grown to a total of 30 including our associates, and Charcoalblue is now the largest organisation of its kind working in Britain.
Our portfolio ranges from world-famous companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and Glyndebourne Opera, through new theatres in Canterbury, Corby, Folkestone and Leicester, to our work with experimental companies such as Battersea Arts Centre and Graeae. Our work on buildings like the Young Vic in London, the Theatre Royal in Newcastle and the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon has won us awards and enthusiastic reviews from the theatrical and architectural press and, more importantly as far as we are concerned, praise from performers, directors, theatre technicians and audiences.
All our team members have extensive and recent experience of working in the theatre industry around the world, and share a passion for all types of performance. We know what it’s like to be at the sharp end, and whenever possible we continue to be actively involved in theatre production so that we remain connected to the world in which we consult. Together we are key members of the Society of Theatre Consultants, the Association of British Theatre Technicians, and the Association of Lighting Designers.
Our approach is based on collaboration and developing user-led projects that meet your needs, rather than imposing a predefined solution. Charcoalblue provides detailed design guidance on all aspects of theatre, performance and arts projects. We will tackle anything from a large theatre to a community centre, a gallery to a multi-media centre. Our scope of service can range from preparing the initial feasibility study and assessing user needs and aspirations of a wider community, to the detailed design of a theatre auditorium or the technical fitting out of a stage. We can follow through from developing the correct functional relationships of a building to the detailed design of all aspects of its public, technical and service areas, as well of course as the auditorium itself.
Where appropriate, we will design specialist systems and equipment, tailoring them to your requirements. This could include seating, stage engineering, stagelighting and audiovisual systems. Our team has an in-depth knowledge of the most recent and relevant health and safety standards and accessibility guidelines. We have a wealth of experience in adapting and making the most of existing buildings, as well as creating entirely new ones. Our clients include subsidised arts organisations, local authorities, educational bodies, property developers and the private sector.
We also provide an integrated service in room acoustics design and noise control. Sound quality is established in the initial planning of a theatre and the layout of the building functions. We have a commitment to the thorough integration of the theatrical and acoustic disciplines, to ensure the best holistic result.
From schematics concepts for new performances spaces and renovations, to detailed solutions for acoustic isolation challenges, to establishing appropriate background noise levels within modern and sustainable heating and ventilation systems, we provide knowledgeable and thorough guidance in all aspects of building acoustics.
Affiliations
ABTT
Society of Theatre Consultants
The Theatres Trust
Association of Lighting Designers
Institute of Electrical Engineers
Institute of Chartered Accountants
Society for Theatre Research
Awards
Charcoalblue has received many awards for its work, including:
RIBA Regional Award 2010 - Aldeburgh Music Creative Campus - Haworth Tompkins
RIBA Regional Award 2010 - Nottingham Contemporary - Caruso St John
RIBA Regional Award 2009 - Quarterhouse, Folkestone - Alison Brooks Architects
RIBA Regional Award 2009 - Nottingham Arts Exchange - Hawkins\Brown
RIBA Regional Award 2009 - CURVE, Leicester (with Sceno Ducks) - Rafael Vinoly Architects
RIBA National Award 2008 - North Wall Theatre, Oxford - Haworth Tompkins
RIBA National Award 2008 - Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool - BIQ Architecten
RIBA Regional Award - Young Vic Theatre - Haworth Tompkins
RIBA London Building of the Year - Young Vic Theatre - Haworth Tompkins
RIBA National Award 2007 - Courtyard Theatre - Ian Ritchie Architects
RIBA National Award 2007 (conservation) - Roundhouse - McAslan & Partners
RIBA Arts Building Award 2006 - Unicorn Theatre - Keith Williams Architects
RIBA Arts Building Award 2006 - Siobhan Davies Dance Centre - Sarah Wigglesworth Architects
RIBA SE Region Award of Merit 2005 - Amnesty International HQ - Witherford Watson Mann Architects
RICS East of England Conservation Award 2010 (Joint Winner) - Aldeburgh Music Creative Campus - Haworth Tompkins
RICS Community Benefit Award 2009 (Winner) and RICS Sustainability Award 2009 (Shortlisted) - Courtyard Theatre - Ian Ritchie Architects
Civic Trust Special Award for Access 2008 - Roundhouse - McAslan & Partners
Civic Trust Award 2008 - Young Vic Theatre - Haworth Tompkins
Civic Trust Award 2008 - North Wall Theatre, Oxford - Haworth Tompkins
USITT Merit Awards 2007 - Charcoalblue - Unicorn Theatre
USITT Merit Awards 2007 - Charcoalblue - Young Vic Theatre
Stirling Prize 2007 Shortlist - Young Vic Theatre - Haworth Tompkins
Stirling Prize 2006 Long list - Unicorn Theatre & Siobhan Davies Dance Centre
BD Public Building Architect of the Year 2006 - Unicorn - Keith Williams Architects
BD Architect of the Year 2006 - Roundhouse - McAslan & Partners
LEAF Public Building of the Year Award - Young Vic - Haworth Tompkins
Evening Standard Theatre Awards - Special Award for Innovative Theatre Architecture - Young Vic - Haworth Tompkins Architects
BCO National Award 2010 – Best Project up to 2000m2 – Graeae Theatre Company - Artillery Architecture and Design
Construction Project of the Year - 2010 Insider West Midlands Property Awards – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon - Mace
The RSC Courtyard was also short listed as one of the UK architectural entries to the Prague Quadrennial in 2007.
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