Background
Anderson Acoustics provided acoustic consultancy for the major refurbishment of this historic Gallery to celebrate the 500th centenary of the famous artist.
The Challenge
Previously the gallery was a very challenging listening space for multipurpose events such as banquets, wedding and drinks receptions, charity auctions, fashion shows and occasionally music performance.
The Solution
Anderson Acoustics worked with the architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and consulted with the V&A Events team to understand the use of the space in detail, and carried out detailed design including 3D room acoustic modelling, with an auralisation in our Sonic Room to demonstrate and optimise the improvements in speech intelligibility, amplified sound and music that could be achieved with acoustic plaster panels installed in the roof, before the works were carried out. The treatment greatly improved the acoustic performance of the space without having a detrimental effect of the aesthetics of the space, or detracting from the famous Cartoons which are brought to life with this sensitive refurbishment.
The Result
The completed space is such a resounding success that it was launched with a live recording for an audio visual album, which shows off the improved reverberation in the space, with subsequent musical performances and happy event Clients which the museum and artists can attest to.
Testimonials
“The Museum relies on the Raphael Court as a great event space, especially for large dinners. We used to struggle with the acoustics and our event hire clients were often underwhelmed by the experience. The new ceiling and acoustics has changed this hugely. Clients have noticed the lack of echo and a distinct improvement on what was there before. Speeches are much more distinct and music reverberates much less. A huge improvement.” Nathalie Glaser | Head of Corporate Events | V&A South Kensington
“One of the most stunning spaces in the UK, if not the world” Oliver Zeffman, Conductor
“It’s a really magical space with a sound that felt even around the room and balanced tonally. The acoustic is not too ‘heavy’, despite the length of reverb tail it doesn’t pile up on top of itself building into a wall of noise, so seems quite controlled in that sense which made the recording possible. I feel like you’ve done an excellent job”. Brett Cox, Recording Engineer, Platoon
Echoes | Le Gateau Chocolat | Friday Late
Commissioned performance film in response to the Global Pandemic from celebrated baritone, drag, operatic and musical theatre artist Le Gateau Chocolat (featuring aria When I am laid in earth from Dido and Aeneas)
