Telus Centre Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
Published: 10 December, 2009
With aspirations that their new facilities be at least as good as their world renowned music education programmes, Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music set out to create the best possible facilities on a tight budget. Together with the faculty and administration, Sound Space Design set standards for the acoustics of the Koerner Concert Hall and the new teaching studios. The facility brings professionals and students together for the musical growth of both.
The RCM realised that their need for an excellent performance and rehearsal venue for their orchestras and choirs was compatible with the greater music community’s need for an excellent chamber music hall of about 1000 seats in central Toronto. So the Sound Space Design team created acoustics that would be excellent for student symphony orchestra as well as for top rank professional chamber music and chamber orchestras.
The Koerner Hall acoustics are adjustable, and the staging flexible, to serve the wide range of orchestral, chamber and choral music, traditional music, the evolution of (global) music, electronics and concert-going habits in the coming decades. Recording sessions, multi-media, electronic events and popular music will all find a home in this hall without compromising the mandate for excellent orchestral and chamber music acoustics.
Integration of room acoustics design, noise control and sound isolation brought sensible low-tech, low cost solutions to the design table with solid engineering and experience. Integration of audio and video technologies and performance lighting and staging with Anne Minors Performance Consultants has created operational efficiency integrated with acoustical performance.
www.soundspacedesign.co.uk
bob.essert@soundspacedesign.co.uk
