In the Hayward Gallery the main requirement was to create a space that could maintain a stable internal environment that met conservation loan conditions. Previously the space received almost no daylight at all, with the glazed pyramid-shaped rooflights failing to perform their original intended use. Max Fordham’s gallery lighting design comprised three main components: the passive provision and control of daylight by the architecture; a system of computer-controlled blinds, and the internal electric lights. The existing pyramids were removed and replaced with a new design utilising a mixture of clear and translucent glass, to form a shading pattern, blocking direct sunlight from landing on the artworks while maximising daylight.

 

To efficiently improve audience comfort in the Queen Elizabeth Hall two major changes were made. Cooling was reintroduced (removed in the 1980s due to evaporative cooling at street level) and the original air mixing system replaced with a displacement system. The reversed airflow required new custom grilles to be incorporated into the architecture at seat level and a 40 seat block of the auditorium was built in a lab for testing to ensure that the very low noise requirements (NR15) of the concert hall would be met.

 

 

This project is part of a longstanding relationship with the Southbank Centre. Max Fordham also completed a major refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall, alongside Allies and Morrison Architects, in 2007. You can read more about this project here.