More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music

Welcome to the Royal College of Music (RCM) – a world-leading conservatoire. Founded in 1882, the RCM trains gifted musicians from around the world for international careers as performers, conductors, composers and leadership roles within the arts.

There is now an opportunity to invest in the South Kensington site. The RCM is planning a £25 million building development which will:

• Significantly enhance the RCM’s ability to provide a professional music education

• Strengthen the RCM as a cultural venue of national and international significance

• Create a greatly improved environment that inspires students, professors, visiting musicians and the tens of thousands of visitors who come to the RCM building each year.

The purpose of this exhibition is to provide you with the opportunity to learn about our development proposals and raise any questions you may have concerning the scheme.

We hope that the exhibition helps to clarify our proposals. However, if you have any questions, please contact the RCM at [email protected]

More Music

Reimagining the Royal College of musiC

WelcoMe

More Music Reimagining the Royal College of musiC

About the RCMThe RCM offers a professional music education and nurtures the international musicians of the future.

We offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to 800 students whose studies are supplemented by an annual programme of more than 300 concerts, masterclasses and opera productions.

Additionally, we provide access to an inspirational learning environment through our specialist Saturday school – RCM Junior College – and our learning and participation programme – RCM Sparks.

Exceptional professors Our dedicated professors have the power to inspire, unlock talent and transform lives.

Performance opportunities Our students are offered exceptional opportunities to perform in our prestigious venues with world-classguest artists.

Professional developmentThe RCM’s Creative Careers Centre provides invaluable support and guidance in developing musicians’ careers.

Resources

The RCM Museum of Music and Library house an internationally-renowned collection of treasures while the RCM Studios offer a professional studio environment.

Research The RCM was named as the London conservatoire with the highest percentage of world-leading research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

Scholarships Over half of our students are supported by scholarships every year.

Built in 1894 and expanded over time, the RCM site has exceptional facilities and performance spaces, including the Britten Theatre and Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall.

However, over the years the estate has grown piecemeal, making it difficult for students and visitors to circulate.

John Simpson Architects has created a vision that makes best use of the RCM’s space whilst respecting the building’s Victorian heritage.

The development will transform the 2,300 sq metre space at the heart of the campus, enhancing student and visitor experience.

The RCM esTaTe1964 Construction of the South Building


Aims of the new developmentThe new development will radically enhance the RCM’s building, transforming the way students and visitors experience the RCM in the future.

The proposed scheme will provide:

• Two new, flexible performance venues (with 150 seats and 90 seats)

• Additional music practice rooms for students

• A new permanent home for the RCM Museum of Music

• New concourse with public access to a café, theatre bar and spaces to socialise

• Better circulation around the site with improved connectivity to the RCM’s existing spaces

• Enhanced step-free access for students and visitors

• New studio and additional recording facilities.


Development moDel


The QuadA new quad area provides an open-air space for creative collaboration. Adjacent to the quad will be a café, theatre bar and additional space for audiences.


The ATriumA new triple-height atrium will provide:

• Intuitive access route from the RCM Foyer to the new performance spaces

• Improved access to existing spaces, including the Britten Theatre

• Enhanced facilities for guests, including a new theatre bar

• New access to relocated RCM Museum of Music and existing Library.


Additional recording and broadcasting capability will further enhance the student experience.

• Two new performance spaces (150 seats and 90 seats) with fully integrated recording facilities which will reflect the highest standards of acoustic quality, sound insulation and lighting.

• Opportunities for more live concerts to be broadcast globally, ensuring audiences worldwide benefit from the RCM’s high-quality music-making.

Flexible spaces for performances, masterclasses, rehearsals and recordings.

Performance Space A: 150 seatsPerformance Space B: 90 seats

NEW PERFORMANCE SPACES


RCM MuseuM of MusiCThe RCM Museum of Music houses and displays an internationally significant collection of musical instruments, works of art and manuscripts. The museum provides the most substantial research resource relating to the history of music held by any UK conservatoire.

The new interactive museum will be permanently housed at the heart of the RCM. When coming to view these important collections, visitors will be greeted with vastly improved access.


2015

2016

2017

2018

timeline

Summer 2015Planning

Application

Summer 2016Construction

Starts

2018Construction

Ends

2017Construction

Continues


John SimpSon ArchitectSEstablished in 1980, John Simpson Architects is an award-winning practice which specialises in designing buildings within the classical tradition.

John Simpson has considerable expertise working with educational institutions and listed buildings in sensitive locations and on complex urban sites. This, together with experience of designing performance spaces, gives the practice the necessary specialist skills to develop carefully crafted solutions for the Royal College of Music.

Images from previous projects:Kensington PalaceThe Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham PalaceLady Margaret Hall, Oxford


ConstruCtion PhaseThroughout the construction phase, work will be planned and carried out with the aim of minimising disruption to daily routines. We will work within the construction guidelines and working hours set by Westminster City Council, and in accordance with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

Construction works will largely be contained within the RCM’s estate, thereby minimising disruption (and noise) to local residents.

We will keep you regularly informed during the construction programme.

This diagram shows one potential construction model.

PROJECT: The Courtyard Development CLIENT: The Royal College of Music DRAWING NO.: BSB-RCM-001

TITLE: Site Logistics REVISION NO. & DATE: Rev 3 – 31/03/2014

Copyright © 2013 Blue Sky Building

ENTRANCE TO SITE

TOWER CRANE WITH RESTRICTED WORKING

RADIUS

PROTECTION BARRIER

GANTRY OVER PAVEMENT TO

MAINTAIN PEDESTRIAN

ACCESS

CONSTRUCTION PIT LANE SECTION THROUGH

SITE GANTRY


Business as usualThe RCM will remain fully operational throughout the project. Whilst we invest in the future of the College, we are also committed to providing the best possible experience for our students, staff and visitors.

• The site will be managed to ensure noise and disruption is kept to a minimum

• Regular communications will be issued to keep students, staff, neighbours and the local community fully informed and reassured about what to expect

• The site contact details will be readily available


Floor plans(clockwise from bottom left) Basement, Ground Floor, First Floor


Thank YouThank you for taking the time to look at our exhibition – we hope that you have found it interesting, informative and inspiring.

What happens next? We will submit a formal planning application to Westminster City Council. We will continue with our programme of community briefings and newsletters.

If you would like any further information or to discuss any aspect of our proposals please contact: [email protected]


Documents

More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music