Roundhouse
Camden, London, United Kingdom

Seat Count: 600
Project Type: Renovation
Opening: 2002
Client: Royal Shakespeare Company
Architect: Royal Shakespeare Company
Theatre Consultant: Royal Shakespeare Co.
AD Scope: Auditorium Design Development,
Acoustics, Sound Isolation, Noise Control

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The Roundhouse in Camden, London, began as an empty shell -- brick walls, Victorian cast iron columns, a roof, entrance doors, and a vision by Adrian Noble, Director of the RSC, for a unique temporary theatre. The charm of the Roundhouse is that it is an inherently dramatic space. There is an excitement to it even when empty. Still, modern necessities are required to create a successful theatrical space, thus heating, electricity and plumbing had to be provided.

AD worked with the RSC technical team and with the RSC directors to renovate the space and provide acoustics for drama. We controlled the enormous, echoing volume to produce an intimate acoustic.

The Roundhouse is a part of the RSC's "Fleet" program. The touring companies of the RSC become "fleet of foot" taking up spaces where they can find them, such as the Roundhouse. The company still maintains their permanent home in Stratford.