Info
Project Details:
Providing a new home for the world class London Symphony Orchestra in a beautifully restored Hawksmoor church.
Awards:
- Civic Trust Awards 2004: Winner
- British Construction Industry Awards 2004, Best Building, Conservation Category: Winner
- Civic Trust Access Award 2004: Recipient
- Islington Access Awards 2004, Best Builders: Winner
- Georgian Group Awards 2004, 'Reuse of a Georgian Building': Highly Commended
- ADAPT Access Award 2003: Recipient
Images: Tom Scott and Matthew Weinreb
Where we started
In the late 90s, the revered London Symphony Orchestra was looking for a rehearsal space and new home for Discovery, their much admired music education programme. Having outgrown their existing space at the Barbican Centre, they needed somewhere nearby that could accommodate both a large orchestra and state of the art teaching facilities. Importantly, this space needed to bring local people closer to the joy of LSO’s music.
We collaborated with the orchestra from the outset, helping to develop the brief and business plan; establish the viability of a demanding site, and assist with funding applications. Our work was driven by the principle user: the orchestra – from the harpists to the drummers – and their appreciation of how a space performs in all contexts. As one of the world’s finest orchestras, the LSO has high expectations, and so our design proposals needed to be impeccable both in terms of aesthetic and performance.
The London Symphony Orchestra in 2015, taken by Ranald Mackechnie at LSO St Luke's
This was not only a significant project for the LSO, but for the local community, musical teaching and London’s wider cultural attraction too.
An early drawing of our vision for LSO at St Luke's
A spectacular addition to our cultural life.
Nigel Williamson, TES
Design
A new home was found nearby in St Luke’s Church on Old Street. Designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and John James and built in 1733, it was in a poor state of repair, Grade I listed and on English Heritage’s list of most important buildings at risk.
The Grade I listed building was in poor condition before works began
Our challenge was to carefully restore the historic fabric whilst providing cutting edge facilities for the orchestra. Externally, we focused on restoration, only adding a new roof and artists’ entrance on the site of the old vestry. Within, an entirely new interior was constructed. The volume of the church forms the main rehearsal, education and performance space. Below, the previously unsafe crypt was rebuilt to house a café, and extensions were excavated under the churchyard to create space for practice rooms, offices, plant and visitor facilities.
Acoustic excellence is at the core of the design, with different treatments used to ensure a consistent experience within the space and reduce the reverberation for non-musical events. 50mm secondary glazing isolates the noise of busy Old Street, whilst the near-silent ventilation exploits free heating and cooling.
The project has returned the church to its former glory
A new artists' entrance is the only addition to the original building footprint
Whilst being an unashamedly modern venue, the building’s turbulent history is revealed inside and out – its ancient, weathered textures juxtaposed with smart contemporary finishes. We’ve balanced the need to respect the heritage of St Luke’s Church with making interventions that make it an exciting, lively and usable space, one that encourages people to be educated, entertained and uplifted.
The restoration has created Jerwood Hall, a flexible space for performances and rehearsals
One of the best small venues I’ve played in.
Bruce Springsteen
A very funky venue.
Elton John, BBC Session
Crypt level plan
Ground floor plan
Balcony level plan