Royal Opera House

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Facts

Location	Client	Cost	Completion	Awards
London, UK	The Royal Opera House	£200m	1999	6

Project details

Breathing new life into one of the world’s best venues.

This £200m project needed broad design experience to create an environment for all operations without compromising the character of the building.

We designed for all functions at the site, with expanded foyer areas, new dressing rooms, rehearsal facilities, studios and a second auditorium.

The old foyers and auditorium were sensitively refurbished and old links to the square re-established with shop-lined arcades.

Brief

revive the fabric and character of the 140-year-old theatre
make backstage facilities fit for the UK’s top opera and ballet venue
refurbish auditorium, stage and foyers
integrate with London’s Covent Garden Market Square redevelopment

Results

delivered successful urban design and complete theatre modernisation
Royal Opera House retained as the national home of opera and ballet
refit and air-conditioning upgrades the audience experience
new revenue from extra performance and retail space
awards include the RIBA Award for Architecture 2000, the Civic Trust Award 2002 and the Design Award for Natural Stone 2000