Charcoalblue LLP
Silver Supporter
Key Personnel/Contacts
Andy Hayles - Managing Director
Gavin Green - Head of Theatre Design/Senior Partner
Jon Stevens - Head of US Studio/Senior Partner
Katy Winter - Practice Manager/Partner
Alex Wardle - Head of Project Management
Paul Franklin - Head of Technical Design
Byron Harrison - Head of Acoustics
Paul Crosbie - Senior Consultant
Gavin Owen - Senior Consultant
Steve Roberts - Senior Consultant
Peter Ruthven Hall - Senior Consultant
Ian Stickland - Senior Consultant
Jon Woodley - Senior Consultant
Ben Hanson - Senior Consultant
Gregory Allan - Consultant
Joachim Fainberg - Consultant
Steph Barrow - Finance Manager
Lucy Ellwod - Administrative Assistant
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, USA
Recent Projects
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon
Project Budget: £112.8m
Completion: November 2010
Architect: Bennetts Associate
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/
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Project Budget: £25.5 million
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 was 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 could be housed previously. The development of an educational programme for young people was also an essential part of the scheme.
Charcoalblue worked hand-in-hand with the client and the architect to help them clarify and develop their vision, and to deliver a building which now accomodates opera, ballet, dance, musicals, pantomime, popular concerts and drama.
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Project Budget: £4.9 million
Completion: September 2011
Architect: Sansome Hall
In September 2011 the restored Newcastle Theatre Royal flung open its doors to reveal it in all its original gold leaf, red velvet, wood panelled, glistening splendour. The venue sparkles with an abundance of antique and Matcham-style features, yet at the same time it is now more than capable of accommodating the most technically-demanding No1 touring shows on the circuit.
Built in 1901 by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, the £4.9 million restoration of the Theatre Royal was "one of the biggest and most meticulous theatre restorations in recorded history". Charcoalblue designed new seating layouts and specified entertainment technology infrastructure which was selected to be as visually unobtrusive as possible while offering the kind of technical future-proofing a number one touring venue requires.
The result is a historically-authentic restoration which nonetheless features future-proofed functionality.
Gob-smackingly gorgeous! Philip Bernays, Theatre Royal Chief Executive
Charcoalblue
is widely regarded as the most exciting and innovative theatre consultancy in
the UK. Since our foundation in 2004, we have grown to a total of thirty
including our associates, and Charcoalblue is now the largest organisation of
its kind working in the UK.
As
the theatre consultants of choice for many of the country's leading architects
and theatre companies, our portfolio ranges from world-famous companies like
the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and Glyndebourne
Festival Opera, to cutting-edge outfits such as Siobhan Davies Dance and
Graeae. Our unique collaborative approach and relentless attention to detail
has won us awards, ecstatic reviews from the theatrical and architectural press
and, most importantly, praise from our theatres' performers, technicians and
audiences.
This
success has led to increasing demand for our services around the world and in
2012 we opened our studio in New York, and founded Charcoalblue LLC; the US
equivalent of the UK's LLP. The US
business goes from strength to strength.
We remain committed to innovative collaborative work and ownership
wherever we are on the planet.
Despite
our swift growth, we remain grounded in theatre practice and performance, and
are still driven by a passion for all types of performing arts projects, big or
small, new-build or refurbishment. Charcoalblue provides detailed design
guidance on all aspects of theatre, performance and arts projects. We will
tackle anything from a concert hall to a community centre, a gallery to a
multi-media suite.
Our
scope of service can range from preparing the initial feasibility study and
assessing user needs and aspirations of the wider community, to the detailed
design of a theatre auditorium or the technical fitting out of a stage-house.
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, including bespoke seat and furniture design, 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 for both design and operation
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. No project is too small and no vision too
broad for us to be confident that we can add great cultural value.
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.
Within the last two years we have seen the following buildings open:
- The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Transformation, Stratford-Upon-Avon
- The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
- Theatre Royal, Newcastle
- The Ebert Room, Glyndebourne Opera House, East Sussex
- National Skills Academy, Thurrock
All of these buildings have been well received and have already gained us a number
of industry awards and nominations - most notably the new Royal Shakespeare
Theatre which won the 2011 British Construction Industry Award (BCIA); the
Building Award 2011, and the RIBA Regional Award as well as being shortlisted
for the prestigious Stirling Prize 2011.
2013 is panning out to
be another busy and exciting year, with the opening of the National Theatre's
temporary space on the South Bank - The Shed, as well as our first New York
project opening! St Ann's Warehouse have
moved into their temporary home at Jay Street in Brooklyn whilst we continue to
work on designs for their permanent home, the Tobacco Warehouse just down the
block.
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 Reginal Award 2011 - UK Centre for Carnival Arts, Luton - Ash Sakula
RIBA Reginal Award 2011 - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - Bennetts Associate
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
Civic Trust Award Shortlist 2012 - The Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres Transformation
USITT Merit Awards 2007 - Charcoalblue - Unicorn Theatre
USITT Merit Awards 2007 - Charcoalblue - Young Vic Theatre
USITT Architecture Honor Award 2012 - Royal Shakespeare & Swan Theatres Transformation
Stiring Prize 2011 Shortlist - Royal Shakespeare Theatre Redevelopment - Stratford-Upon-Avon
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 2007 - Young Vic - Haworth Tompkins
Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2007 - Special Award for Innovative Theatre Architecture - Young Vic - Haworth Tompkins Architects
Chicago Athenaeum, International Award 2008 - Young Vic - Haworth Tompkin
BCO National Award 2010 – Best Project up to 2000m2 – Graeae Theatre Company - Artillery Architecture and Design
Best Public Building - 2010 Kent Design Awards - Quarterhouse, Folkestone
Construction Project of the Year - 2010 Insider West Midlands Property Awards – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon - Mace
Building Award 2011 Winner - Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Project of the Year
The RSC Courtyard was shortlisted as one of the UK architectural entries to the Prague Quadrennial in 2007.
Nominated for British Construction Industry Awards (BCAI) for the Core Theatre, Corby and for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon.
American Institue of Architects, New York Chapter, 2011 Design Award 'Citation' - St. Ann's Warehouse - H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture
Conde Nast Traveller 5th Annual Innovation & Design Awards for Culture 2011 - The Hepworth Wakefield
Best Architectural Achievement - The British Design Awards 2011 - The Hepworth Wakefield
Judges' Award for Best Public Building - Wallpaper Design Awards 2012 The Hepworth, Wakefield
Features
Lighting and Sound International:
2004, founding year
2005, one year on
Lighting & Sound International - '2007 Charcoalblue, moving on up'
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