The opportunity

The architecture of the Royal Festival Hall has offered openness and accessibility to the public since its opening in 1951. The foyer allows the visitor the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, both cultural and social. Since its conception, the building, the urban context, and the overall mission of the arts facility, have gone through a series of changes. As a result, the Southbank Centre commissioned Allies and Morrison to redesign the building and Rick Mather Architects to masterplan the area. The new design had to address various and, at times, conflicting briefs to successfully accommodate a complex new programme while maintaining its openness and continuing to provide a world-class cultural experience.

Our approach

We undertook an evidence-based appraisal of existing conditions, comprising:

– observations of pedestrian flows both within the building and across the surrounding areas

– spatial layout modelling, including user visibility and accessibility studies

– spatial connectivity analysis to study the links between the building and its wider urban context.

We then provided strategic design advice, using the spatial layout model as a design options testing tool.

The outcome

Working alongside the Southbank Centre and design team members, we provided an initial analysis of the spatial properties of the building and its surroundings. We were able to show what made the building work and to identify its shortcomings. We then used our model as a design tool to test and inform the design. Our work was also used in stakeholder presentations, workshops and design reviews.

The new building and its public realm continue to provide a rich cultural experience for the city.