Our projects

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

    • Client: Scottish Opera
    • Sector: Leisure
    • Value: £2.2m
    • Location: Scotland
    • Services: Pre-Construction, Construction Support
    • Completion date: 2014

Having visited the site during the construction period, it was evident that the pride that Scottish Opera demonstrates in every performance on stage is reflected in the delivery of this high-quality building.

The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron, Scottish Opera
Theatre Royal

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

  1. awards

    Scottish Design Awards 2015

    Winner of Leisure Culture Building or Project

  2. awards icon - light green

    Honorary Award

    Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Awards 2015