If I disappear off the radar for a bit it's because I have to visit two of our schools today and give talks and tours of a couple of my buildings.
First stop is the "stealth building" in Sydenham. This is the one that looks like a stealth bomber from the outside; lots of lovely intersecting planes (no pun intended) and weird angles, all covered in solar panels.
Inside it is a big recording studio hidden away in the back of the building and an acoustic music performance space for solo and small ensembles in the main room (the orchestra goes in the main theatre next door). This is the stage end of the acoustic performance space …
… and this is the other end. The booths are for lighting and sound mixing/recording.The acoustics took a lot of work, but I'm rather proud of the result. Walking round every corner of the room, the piano sounds exactly the same. No drop off in volume or tone. Spiffy!
Then after lunch, we're off to Wimbledon to see the new theatre. That's the 3D of it above (the building works aren't due to finish until the spring).
This is what the entrance lobby looked like last week, so there's still a way to go yet.
So anyway; that's what I'll be up to today instead of posting to my lovely blogpals. And when I've done that, I've got the far harder task of getting out of our departmental Christmas party tonight.
While I'm showing people round the buildings, the Grinch will be working overtime thinking up excuses.
Right. Off we go (hey ho … hey ho) …
13 comments:
These pictures are lovely--what I wouldn't give top lay in a recital room like the one with the red benches. Enjoy your tour day.
by the way, every time I see the drunk posting icon in your sidebar, I have an immediate need for a cosmopolitan. But posting drunk is as dangerous as calling drunk or e-mailing drunk, so I'll pass on that. I'll be eager to read your writings, though.
It must be incredibly rewarding to see your pictures come to life. That would take the Grinch out of me.
Sexy buildings! And OMG! Thanks for pointing out the drunk icon Robyn...hadn't seen that before...guess that could have been my avatar last nite! LOL! Dive, do yourself a favor...enjoy the PARTY! Here's an idea...don't wear any "pants" (that translates to underwear here Stateside!)...might just take the edge off! ;-)
Hi, Robyn. I got lots of nice praise today from the musicians who have been using the recital room. I don't think there was a horn player though, so if you'd like to come and test it out you're more than welcome.
Sassy and Ame: I'm still quite cheerful because I managed to squirm out of the party and I'm back home lovely and warm.
Still two more parties to wriggle out of though …
And to get you in the mood, i've posted my own christmas tree especially for you Dive, to help get rid of the bah-humbug!
I'm still feeling quite festive Lynn, and your tree is very pretty.
But my house will still remain free of all decorations and I shall ignore the greedfest as best and as Grinchily as I can.
Ha, you just left a comment on my site as I was beginning to write this. I just wanted to say that I just got back from a shopping trip, and despite the massive amount of cars on the road, every one was very courteous, and the store clerks were all very helpful. Every single one of them was smiling and either said happy holidays or merry Christmas. So it was pleasant.
And I would love to play in that room. The sound from a big room constructed to hold music gives me chills.
It is a lovely space acoustically, Robyn.
Today we wandered through to it via the assembly hall and the big theatre. I've just finished acoustic treatment in those, too, and the difference is quite asonishing.
In the larger spaces, I've been putting tuned baffles down the sides, absorbent panels at the back and a combination of absorbent ceilings and moveable reflectors at high level.
The assembly hall is now perfect for speech (but too dry for music), the theatre is a nice compromise for both plays and orchestral works, and the recital room is quite reflective, but with the planes and angles designed to eliminate unwanted reverberations, so it's perfect for acoustic instruments.
I must admit to being just a teensy bit proud of the results.
Beautiful pictures. My sister is an architect too and I've acquired from her this habit of critically analyzing every building I see. These are great.
It looks like the Christmas spirit is actually getting to you! Nice shot, btw, the one with the snowball.
Robyn, I have a friend whose cellphone I have to hide every time he gets drunk because he always ends up calling or texting some girl or the other. He once proposed to this girl and set up a date for the next day and was blissfully unaware of it till she called to ask him why he didn't show up!
I'd probably have posted drunk, but I don't want a hangover at the exam the next morning. So I'll pass, too.
You know, they always say never drunk dial. I'm holding to that, and I'll add never drunk type.
Dive, you should be proud. Not just any schlep could design with such specific intent--it takes a special schlep (small joke). Really, be proud.
Go to at least one damn party, Dive. You'll feel better.
Here here. Go to the damn party and eat cookies and drink something nice and smile at people. Aww, it makes me feel all happy just thinking about it.
Sorry guys. Parties leave me in a black depression for days.
Morrissey wrote that line in "How Soon Is Now" especially for me (you know the one).
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