AIR Studios London, UK
AIR Studios are an internationally renowned recording studio boasting the finest facilities in the world.
The original communal and supporting spaces linking the recording studios did not align with AIR Studio’s recognised high level of quality. In turn, Corstorphine & Wright were appointed to design and develop a welcoming and uplifting environment for clients, musicians and songwriters which reflects and enhances the quality of the world class recording studios and architectural legacy of the building.
The studio was founded in 1970 by Sir George Martin of the Beatles and has been home to productions such as ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Interstellar’, and, artists and composers like Hans Zimmer, Adele and Coldplay.
The Lyndhurst Hall is a former Congregational Chapel constructed in 1884 and designed by the great Victorian Architect Alfred Waterhouse. It has since been designated of architectural interest and Listed Grade II.
Air Studios was founded by legendary producer of The Beatles and Oscar-nominated composer Sir George Martin in 1970, it was originally located in central London and had a sister studio called Air Montserrat that was opened in 1979.
In the early 1990’s Sir George found an empty church in Hampstead and created Air Studios Lyndhurst. Built for congregational singing, the stunning hexagonal hall has extraordinary acoustic qualities which George Martin quickly recognised.
Since then, Air Studios has become one of the world’s leading recording studios and one of only a handful in the world with full orchestral recording capabilities.
A heritage led approach was taken in the development of a number of Feasibility options with input from the clients Heritage Consultant. Options were refined and costed in close collaboration with the client and design team to a point where a pre-application submission to the local authority could be made. Early consideration of acoustic issues were fundamental to ensure there was no impact on the recording studios. Meetings were held on site with the Heritage Officer and Planning Officer to discuss the proposals.
Working with the existing building with its curving walls and brick details presented a challenge.
Accurate, thorough and robust detailing was required involving close collaboration with the design team and specialist sub-contractors to ensure that the junctions between new and existing were kept as light touch as possible.
Three key areas of detailing worth mentioning include:
The setting out and junction details of the glass roof and beams with the curving brick wall to Lyndhurst Cottage.
Detail A
Ensuring thorough and significant consultation between the project acoustician and Air studios to develop floor and junction details to eliminate airborne and impact sound transmission between the new café floor and recording studios.
Detail B
The detail between the glass roof to the café area and the new parapet at the junction with the roof of Lyndhurst Cottage.
In addition to the normal challenges of dealing with an historic building, the key issues included delivering the building through Covid and also making sure that the studios could keep operating during the works. Both of these issues required a significant amount of collaboration between the contractor, client and design team. The contractor was appointed early on in the technical detailing stages and this allowed a fully coordinated approach where the views and experience of consultants, clients and the contractor contributed to the resolution of many technical details and site related issues.
“Projects like Air Studios don’t come along very often. A recording studios with an incredible musical legacy, a building designed by famous Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse (Natural History Museum) with design and detail challenges everywhere, and delivered during Covid. A real testament to the tenacity and dedication of the team and the client, and a commitment to a contemporary solution designed to celebrate the existing building.”
Director
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