- Client: Scottish Opera
- Sector: Leisure
- Value: £2.2m
- Location: Scotland
- Services: Pre-Construction, Construction Support
- Completion date: 2014
Dramatic new look for Theatre Royal
Improving the visitor experience at the home of Scottish Opera.
The Theatre Royal wanted to transform the ‘street to seat’ experience for visitors.
We constructed a show-stopping extension while preserving the 147-year-old auditorium. To minimise the time the theatre had to close we carried out as much work as we could beforehand and completed works inside the theatre at the same time as the extension.
Incorporating a dramatic spiralling staircase, which connects foyer to auditorium at every level, the new extension improves the visitor experience as well as theatre operations.
Mastering the geometry of the extension's complex concrete frame was a key project challenge requiring top-flight engineering and construction.
Summary
Multi-Level Design
The five-storey foyer connects to the auditorium at every level improving ‘street to seat’ times for visitors.
Quality Finishes
Completed to exacting standards and tolerances, the interior is clad in bespoke joinery.
Bespoke Delivery
The glamorous golden façade consists of stainless steel and glazing. With each element unique, these were installed piece-by-piece once the structure was in place.

Design and construction expertise
The extension’s complex frame required expert engineering and construction. So we created the superstructure in-house, carrying out all works ourselves.
Our in-house Design Group and site team worked in tandem to achieve the tight tolerance levels and high-quality finish so that the jigsaw of manufactured internal joinery fitted perfectly.
We perfected the stunning centrepiece staircase using extensive CAD modelling.
Awards
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Scottish Design Awards 2015
Winner of Leisure Culture Building or Project
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Honorary Award
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Awards 2015