Royal Academy of Music
Location: London, UK
Lighting Design: Ulrike Brand Licht
Architect: Ian Ritchie Architects
Fittings Used: Fibre Optic
Fibre Optic Generator
Fibre Terminations
The concept for the lighting deconstructs the traditional chandelier into an exploding theatre-wide galaxy of light through fibre-optic crystals.
A £20m Ian Ritchie Architects scheme completely renovated the Royal Academy of Music’s Susie Sainsbury Theatre, Angela Burgess Recital Hall, practice rooms and dressing rooms.
Part of the acoustical adjustment of the Susie Sainsbury Theatre, an innovative lighting scheme by international lighting designer Ulrike Brandi Licht employed bespoke fibre optic lighting and LEDs supplied by Light Projects.
600 fibre-optic crystals and recessed LED downlighters were specified along with 52 Fibre Optic LED projectors. The concept for the lighting deconstructs the traditional chandelier into an exploding theatre-wide galaxy of light through fibre-optic crystals.
Further crystals are recessed in the Cherry wood wall linings which are softly illuminated from below with miniature LEDs designed specifically for this project along with custom bracketry to deliver the final vision once the ceilings had been completed.
The light from the crystals fills the entire theatre, drawing parallels with how music fills the space during a performance. The combined effect is one of a warmth, intimacy and limitless expansiveness with varied contrasts and intensities.
Combining function with form the fibre-optic crystals also provide the necessary light levels in the auditorium for members of the audience to read their programmes under the interactive starry sky.
As the crystals are suspended directly from the fibre optics, there are no ‘moving or electronic parts’ above the Auditorium. The LED projectors powering the fibre optics are housed within two lighting risers which can be accessed from the viewing Balcony, thus ensuring ease of access should any maintenance be required in the future under the strictest acoustic noise control.
The scheme has won several awards including a RIBA London Award, RIBA London Building of the Year Award, RIBA National Award, NLA Culture & Community Award and RICS London Award in the Tourism & Leisure category.
