Royal Academy of Music: Duke’s Hall
London, UK
The Project
As one of the oldest music schools in the UK, The Grade II listed Royal Academy of Music (RAM) is an inspiring venue where the traditions of the past meet the talent of the future. Central to the Academy’s concerts, recitals and public events is their prestigious 319-seat flagship performance space – The Duke’s Hall.
The Brief
Over time, the Hall had begun to develop issues with its lighting system, and needed an upgrade to continue meeting the Academy’s high standards.
The Solution
d&b solutions designed and delivered a robust and future-proof lighting system that provides different luminance levels for the stage and audience areas, whilst seamlessly integrating with their existing setup to enable control across all house and feature lighting elements within the Hall.
To replace their existing House Lighting, ETC ArcPro One-Cell system provided the ideal balance of performance, flexibility and reliability.
Powered by ArcLamp 150 and 350 drivers, 2700K ArcLamp B15 clear candle bulbs were selected for the Hall’s decorative elements, chandeliers, sconces and tambourine fittings to provide a warm, consistent lighting that not only respected the historic aesthetic of the Hall, but also delivered the benefits of modern efficiency and reliability.
To provide intuitive and reliable control, ETC Paradigm ACP-E system was implemented with two touchscreens – one at the hall’s main entrance and one beneath the stage at the Stage Manager’s position. This setup provides easy, user-friendly access to the entire lighting system for RAM’s staff and technical teams, offering maximum flexibility for rehearsals, performances and events.
The entire system is supported by a seamlessly integrated control system that improves functionality, whilst providing a unified setup that simplifies day‑to‑day operations for the Academy team.
Gemma Waring
Performance Venues Manager at Royal Academy of Music
‘d&b solutions recently completed a major lighting upgrade in the Duke’s Hall at the Royal Academy of Music, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish.
Communication throughout the project was excellent, with the Project Manager providing detailed daily and weekly progress reports that kept us fully informed and helped manage any potential risks effectively. These works took place at a time when many stakeholders were away for extended periods of time, and the Project Manager and wider team’s readiness to work within Academy operations was greatly appreciated.
The contractor’s team demonstrated a high level of professionalism and courtesy at all times, working seamlessly around the Academy’s schedule and maintaining the highest standards of on-site safety. The end result has exceeded our expectations, greatly enhancing both the functionality and atmosphere of the hall.’