Westminster City Council’s Planning Department has approved Stanton Williams’ scheme to ‘open up’ the Royal Opera House. The planning consent will allow the Royal Opera House to enhance their core values of creativity, excellence and inclusivity. 

The design, which has been developed by Stanton Williams in collaboration with Arup, will make the physical entrances and street-level public spaces of the Royal Opera House more open and inviting to everyone, encouraging artists, audiences, as well as the general public to explore the building and engage with the artistic activities within.

Open Up will also make the Royal Opera House a must-see destination. Existing spaces, such as the Linbury Studio Theatre and Foyer will be transformed, a new terrace off the Paul Hamlyn Hall will be created and other spaces developed to make the creative, technical and education work of the Royal Opera House more visible.

“The ‘Open Up’ project aims significantly to enhance the experience for the public, artists and guest companies, to create new opportunities to inspire audiences with our art forms and to help this wonderful place come alive throughout the day as one of London’s great cultural assets. 

We have selected celebrated architects Stanton Williams, after an international competition, to help us realise our objectives. Their respect for our heritage, appreciation of our London context, and award-winning flair will deliver a Royal Opera House fit for the twenty first century”

-Alex Beard, Chief Executive, Royal Opera House

Following a high profile competition involving strong contenders such as Witherford Watson Mann, Diller Scofidio and Renfro, Caruso St John and Heatherwick Studio, Stanton Williams were selected to carry out the Royal Opera House ‘Open Up’ project in February 2013.

The ‘Open Up’ project’s principal objective is to transform the public’s experience of the Royal Opera House at its Covent Garden home. It will offer a series of legible and flexible spaces that can be inhabited and curated by the Royal Opera House and aims to bring a sense of the magic that is created each night on stage to the public areas.

A new glazed extension and entrance on Bow Street will provide passers-by with a clear view of the activities taking place inside.An improved entrance onto the Covent Garden Piazza with additional foyer space will present and display the work of the Royal Opera House and encourage visitors to enjoy the building throughout the day as well as the evening. 

The project includes a second theatre for the Royal Opera House within the shell of the Linbury Studio Theatre. The brief is to create a space that has warmth, comfort, and a distinct character, adaptable to different staging formats. Stanton Williams’ design will bring it to the fore as a world class mid-scale theatre and an artistic laboratory for both the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera Companies.

All images © Stanton Williams

Project Facts

Status:Current

Location:London

Client:Royal Opera House

Value:Confidential

> via Stanton Williams