{"id":740720,"date":"2024-06-11T07:31:23","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T06:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=740720"},"modified":"2024-06-11T12:40:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T11:40:10","slug":"case-study-bristol-beacon-by-levitt-bernstein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/specification\/case-study-bristol-beacon-by-levitt-bernstein","title":{"rendered":"Case study: Bristol Beacon by Levitt Bernstein"},"content":{"rendered":"

Architecture studio Levitt Bernstein has completed the highly anticipated reimagining of Bristol Beacon for Bristol City Council and Bristol Music Trust. This transformational project has created a centre of excellence for music of all kinds, where it can be created, performed, recorded and broadcast, all under one roof. Levitt Bernstein has repaired, restored and upgraded the original fabric of the 1860s Grade II-listed building, conserving the distinctive Victorian architecture while reimagining its future.<\/span><\/p>\n

The venue encompasses three main performance halls, including Beacon Hall for professional concerts with seating capacity of around 1,800, in addition to the smaller-capacity Lantern Hall and cellar venue for more intimate performances and emerging artists.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The architectural work celebrates the highly significant Bristol Byzantine style of the original building, while adapting it for today\u2019s audiences and modern venue operation. The new interior, which includes a public caf\u00e9, interval bars and a number of flexible spaces for music and education, has been nested into the original building\u2019s Victorian shell. With a number of flexible spaces supporting the venue\u2019s education, outreach and conference programmes, the restored Bristol Beacon will enliven the local community, celebrating its culture for\u00a0all to enjoy.
\n<\/span><\/span>Mark Lewis, associate director,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>Levitt Bernstein<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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Project data<\/b><\/h3>\n

Start on site <\/b>June 2019
\nCompletion <\/b>November 2023
\nGross internal floor area <\/b>8,362m\u00b2
\nConstruction cost<\/b> \u00a391 million
\nConstruction cost per m2<\/sup><\/b> \u00a310,883
\nArchitect <\/b>Levitt Bernstein
\nClient <\/b>Bristol City Council for Bristol Music Trust
\nStructural engineer<\/b> Arup
\nM&E consultant<\/b> Arup
\nProject manager<\/b> Mace\/Arcadis
\nPrincipal designer<\/b> AECOM
\nApproved building inspector<\/b> Local Authority Building Control
\nAcoustician<\/b> Sound Space Vision
\nTheatre consultant<\/b> Charcoalblue
\nInterior designer<\/b> Levitt Bernstein
\nHeritage consultant<\/b> Alan Baxter
\nAnnual CO<\/b>2<\/sub><\/b><\/span> emissions <\/b>47.5 kgCO2<\/sub><\/span>\/m2<\/sup> (predicted)
\nPredicted design life <\/b>60+ years
\nMain contractor<\/b> Willmott Dixon
\nCAD software used <\/b>Revit<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Architect\u2019s choices<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u2018Cassis\u2019 bricks by Nelissen were chosen for Beacon Hall because they help to heighten the sense of intimacy, and also have subtle variations. Their textured surface works well with the acoustic design. We considered precast panels, but these would have proven difficult to install in this context.<\/p>\n

Wall panelling and over-stage acoustic reflectors are in European white oak, with American walnut for the balcony fronts and other details. Timber was easily shaped to fulfill the acoustic design and also lends visual warmth.<\/p>\n

\u2018Alphabet of Light\u2019 fixtures by Artemide in the Lantern atrium echo the surrounding historic aches and are a contemporary interpretation of the cast-iron chandeliers that once hung there.
\n<\/span><\/span>Mark Lewis, associate director,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>Levitt Bernstein<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Specification<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

With its focus on acoustic excellence, sustainability and heritage, Bristol Beacon required a bold and imaginative strategy to ensure it would excel in use. As the venue\u2019s centrepiece, Beacon Hall offers near-perfect acoustical conditions for the enjoyment of both amplified and non-amplified sound. New timber-lined balconies, shaped to optimise room acoustics, with trifurcating steel columns to support the upper balconies and technical decks, deliver a unique and dramatic visual signature that combines heritage with world-leading acoustics and 21st century technology. The alternating timber panels reflect the light in varying ways, bringing a sense of depth and texture to the Beacon Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flexibility is designed into the acoustic strategy allowing all genres of music to be performed in optimal conditions. New brick was carefully chosen to line the Beacon Hall walls to reflect bass frequencies and retain low-frequency sound energy for orchestral performances. The auditorium contains drapes that can be raised and lowered over the brickwork to adjust the acoustics, while inflatable absorbers also sit above the stage to reduce \u2018boominess\u2019 for amplified concerts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, the transformation has delivered a reduction in sound transmission between halls and practically removed intrusion from external noise, enabling \u2018pin-drop\u2019 silence. Levitt Bernstein collaborated with world-renowned acousticians Sound Space Vision to implement a creative design that delivers excellent acoustic conditions in each space.
\n<\/span>Mark Lewis, associate director,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>Levitt Bernstein<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Selected products<\/b><\/h3>\n

Atrium lighting
\n<\/b>Artemide
\nAlphabet of Light
\nLantern atrium
\nartemide.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

House lighting
\n<\/b>ETC Lights
\nArcSystem
\nBeacon Hall
\netcconnect.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Track lighting
\n<\/b>Reggiani Lighting
\nYori Evo Ghostrack
\nFront of house
\nreggiani.net<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Strip lighting
\n<\/b>Zumtobel
\nSlotlight Infinity Slim
\nFront of house
\nzumtobel.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Downlights
\n<\/b>Zumtobel
\nPanos Infinity
\nFront of house
\nzumtobel.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Aluminum roofing
\n<\/b>Kingspan
\nKingzip Linea 65\/400
\nBeacon Hall roof
\nkingspan.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Flat roofing
\n<\/b>Iko
\nPolimar EC\/UV
\nPermaTEC Hot Melt Systems
\nStage and other flat roofs
\nikogroup.co.uk<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Copper cladding
\n<\/b>KME
\nTECU\u00ae Gold Copper
\nStage mansard roof and plant tower cladding
\nkme.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Precast concrete
\n<\/b>Vobster Architectural
\nWet Cast Bathstone, Sample Ref WB-05
\nWest fa\u00e7ade and Beacon Hall
\nvobsterarchitectural.co.uk<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Decorative plasterwork
\n<\/b>Hayles & Howe
\nFine Casting Plaster
\nLantern Hall
\nhaylesandhowe.co.uk<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Polished plaster
\n<\/b>Armourcoat
\nIstria 8006
\n<\/i>Lantern atrium
\narmourcoat.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Bricks<\/b>
\n<\/i>Nelissen Steenfabrieken
\nCassis N70\/5
\nBeacon Hall
\nnelissen.be<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Internal metalwork<\/b>
\nTaunton Fabrications
\nBespoke Metalwork
\nArchitectural metalwork
\ntauntonfab.co.uk<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Acoustic wall linings
\n<\/b>Eomac, Kvadrat, MonTimber
\nPro Stretch, Lawapan Standard\/Lawapan Plank, Kvadrat Soft Cells
\nEducation studios
\neomacwood.com<\/a>, kvadrat.dk<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Acoustic sliding wall
\n<\/b>DORMA H\u00fcppe Moveable Walls Division
\nVarioflex Semi Automatic
\nStage lift pit
\ndorma-hueppe.com<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Sound system
\n<\/b>L-Acoustics
\nAuditoria
\nl-acoustics.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Architecture studio Levitt Bernstein has completed the highly anticipated reimagining of Bristol Beacon for Bristol City Council and Bristol Music Trust. This transformational project has created a centre of excellence for music of all kinds, where it can be created, performed, recorded and broadcast, all under one roof. Levitt Bernstein has repaired, restored and upgraded …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":741112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[721],"tags":[1378,10417,2357,2215],"yoast_head":"\nCase study: Bristol Beacon by Levitt Bernstein<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 1860s Grade II-listed building has been restored and upgraded to create a centre of excellence where music of all kinds can be created, performed and recorded\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/specification\/case-study-bristol-beacon-by-levitt-bernstein\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta 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