Project team
A wide range of specialists make up the Design Team for the transformation of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the surrounding site. Together they provide the specialist knowledge on all aspects of the theatre including the design, planning and construction of the site.
Bennetts Associates, architects
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- Simon Erridge and Rab Bennett of Bennetts Associates
Bennetts Associates are recognised as one of the UK’s leading firms of architects. Rab and Denise Bennetts formed Bennetts Associates in 1987. Initial projects included the Institute of Contemporary Arts, but the firm quickly established a track record of larger-scale projects, including a number of projects in the cultural sector. They are the architects of the Hampstead Theatre in London, Wessex Water’s Operations Centre in Bath, and the Loch Lomond Gateway and Orientation Centre. Their most recent completed project is the Central Library in Brighton.
To find out more about Bennetts Associates visit their website http://www.bennettsassociates.com/
Buro Happold, engineers and transport consultants
Buro Happold is a leading consulting engineering practice, providing elegant, bold and sustainable engineering design solutions for buildings, infrastructure and the environment across all major sectors. Nick Nelson and Stephen Jolly are working for the RSC as part of the Design Team for the theatres' transformation.
The distinctive Buro Happold culture and ethos is based on the principles of care, value and elegance established when the practice was founded in 1976.
With over 1,000 staff in 13 offices around the world, Buro Happold offers a multi-disciplinary approach to complex problem solving. Buro Happold is renowned for its work on landmark projects, such as the Millennium Dome and the roof of the British Museum, and will be delivering the new Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC and the redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse, among many others, in 2006.
Buro Happold's engineering expertise draws upon multiple disciplines to create design solutions that are breath-taking in scope; from road schemes, bridges, harbours, schools, sports stadia and offices, to hotels, hospitals and tall buildings.
To find out more about Buro Happold visit their website http://www.burohappold.com/
Read an interview with Andrew Wylie from Buro Happold.
Charcoalblue, theatre consultants
A young, dynamic, design practice created in 2004 by four of the country's leading theatre consultants - Andy Hayles, Jon Stevens, Jack Tilbury and Gavin Green. Charcoalblue provides specialist advice on the architectural and technical planning of spaces intended for the presentation of art, drama, music, opera and dance. The company has extensive and current experience of working in the theatre industry around the world, and combines a wealth of historical and contemporary knowledge with a passion for all forms of theatrical performance.
To find out more about Charcoalblue visit their website http://www.charcoalblue.co.uk/
Read an interview with Gavin Green from Charcoalblue.
Acoustic Dimensions, acoustic engineer
Acoustic Dimensions provides comprehensive acoustics consulting services, with Nick Edwards working on the RSC on the transformation theatres site. Staff in New York, Dallas, and the UK have backgrounds in architecture, live performance, recording and sound engineering, acoustics research, audio, lighting, video, mechanical engineering and commercial construction.
To find out more about Acoustic Dimensions visit their website http://www.acousticdimensions.co.uk/
Gardiner & Theobald, quantity surveyor and planning supervisors
A Limited Liability Partnership offering a comprehensive worldwide service of construction consultancy based in six key services - cost management, project management, management consultancy, construction management, planning supervision and dispute management. Founded in 1840, Gardiner & Theobald has become one of the world's leading consultant's in its field. With headquarters in London and operating from a network of regional and worldwide offices, Gardiner & Theobald today is an organisation of over 800 staff.
In the last 20 years Gardiner & Theobald have established an enviable track record in the performing arts sector having advised on such highly acclaimed projects as Glyndebourne Opera House (1994), Milton Keynes Theatre (1999), The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (1999) and the restoration of the London Coliseum (2004).
To find out more about Gardiner & Theobald visit their website http://www.gardiner.com/
Drivers Jonas, project management and strategic planning advisors
Drivers Jonas is a leading firm of planning and development advisers, handling a range of culture and heritage redevelopment projects throughout the UK.
Drivers Jonas has been appointed as Strategic Planning Advisor to the Royal Shakespeare Company. The role will involve assisting the RSC and its lead architect (Bennetts) with the preparation and submission of all planning applications, Listed Building and Conservation Area Consent applications for the main Royal Shakespeare Theatre project proposals and the wider RSC Estate.
To find out more about Drivers Jonas visit their website http://www.driversjonas.com/
Other members of the design team include:
David Bonnett Associates - Access Consultants
Alan Baxter & Associates - Culture and Heritage Consultants
Jenkins & Clarke - Landscape Architect
AOC Archaeology - Archaeologist
Cityscape - Visualisations
Environmental Impact Assessment Team
Jenkins & Clarke, landscape architects
The practice has wide-ranging experience in open space design projects including parks, squares, arts and cultural centres, residential, mixed-use and educational schemes, as well as research into landscape restoration, regeneration and environmental design techniques.
Bioscan, ecological consultants
Since Bioscan (UK) Limited provides a highly regarded ecological advice and solution finding service to commercial clients and also maintains an active part in research, university and Government body work which underpins the expertise offered.
Bioscan were accredited as one of the first five Registered Members of the Institute of Environmental Assessment (now the IEMA). Accreditation was renewed in 2001.
Alan Baxter & Associates, culture and heritage consultants
Since it was founded in 1974, Alan Baxter & Associates has grown steadily from a structural engineering practice into a highly regarded consultancy working holistically in all aspects of the built environment. Its distinctive interactive approach is aimed at understanding how buildings and places work before putting forward individually tailored solutions, with an emphasis on providing flexible, imaginative responses to ensure long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
To find out more about Alan Baxter & Associates visit their website http://www.alanbaxter.co.uk/
Other members of the environmental impact assessment team include:
AOC Archaeology - Archaeologist
Enviros - Manager of EIA, Microclimate/Air Quality, Noise and Vibration, Socio-Economic, Sustainability Appraisal & Construction Impacts, Townscape/Visual Impact
Legal Advisors
Linklaters, lawyers
Linklaters is a global law firm which is widely acknowledged as having the UK's premier real estate and construction team.
At the RSC, Linklaters is providing advice which will cover OJEU procurement issues, construction advice, drafting and negotiating of consultancy agreements and building contracts. It has advised on numerous other arts projects for clients including the British Film Institute, English National Opera, the Royal Opera House, the V&A Museum and Tate Galleries.
To find out more about Linklaters visit their website http://www.linklaters.com/
Other legal advisors include:
Pinsent Mason - Legal planning advisors
RSC Team
Peter Wilson OBE, Project Director
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- Peter Wilson, Project Director
Peter was the building project director for both Tate Modern and the Tate Britain Centenary Development. Other projects at the Tate included acting as the Tate client for Cornwall County Council's Tate St Ives, plus a number of other projects, including the second phase of Tate Liverpool in 1998.
As Project Director for the transformation of the RSC’s site, Peter works closely with the RSC Artistic Director, Michael Boyd and Executive Director, Vikki Heywood to steer the project through each stage of its journey.
Simon Harper, Deputy Project Director
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- Simon Harper, Deputy Project Director
Simon started his career as a follow spot operator at Cambridge Arts Theatre and has worked in numerous arts venues as a flyman, scenic carpenter, stage manager and production manager. In recent years, Simon has worked as Technical Director for the Almeida Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and English National Opera where he worked as part of the redevelopment team. Simon joined the RSC in October 2004 to project manage the Courtyard Theatre development and has since been appointed as Deputy Director on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre building project.
Flip Tanner, Project Co-Ordinator
Flip has worked with the RSC for 17 years initially in stage management and then as part of the RSC’s touring team. In 1996 Flip was appointed as Technical Director for The Other Place, the RSC’s studio theatre which is now the site of the temporary Courtyard Theatre. In 2002, he began work as Project Co-Ordinator focussing on the building project and the transformation of the RSC's theatres. Flip has worked as part of the team responsible for the design of the Courtyard Theatre auditorium and backstage planning.
Support
Janis Hindson, Project Administrator, Stephanie Reason, Project Office PA and Anna Anderson, Project Finance Manager, work in the Project Office and support the work of the Design Team and Project Team.