Our environmental design contributes towards an
annual operating energy consumption 40% lower than current best
practice
Prompting comparisons with Sydney Opera House, this stunning
Tyneside landmark is a remarkable combination of the very best in
acoustic performance, striking aesthetics and sustainable
design.
The world class development comprises three symphony halls, a
music school, a rehearsal and community performance hall plus
all associated facilities.
Even before it opened The Sage Gateshead had already won the 2004
Robert Stephenson prize for concept and design. Since the inaugural
performances on 17 December 2004 it’s gone on to win the Best
Public Building Award in the 2005 British Construction Industry
Awards, the RIBA Inclusive Design Award, the Gold Roses Design
Award for Best Public Building, the RICS North East Renaissance
Award for Design and Innovation plus Tourism and Leisure and a 2006
Civic Trust Award.
Iconic
As principal engineering consultant, our specialist building
designers have been responsible for civil, structural and building
services design of the £70 million iconic project – a brownfield
development already encouraging regeneration in the Gateshead and
Newcastle area.
The largest hall seats 1650 and is designed to world class acoustic
standards. The second hall seats 450 while the third provides
rehearsal facilities for the resident orchestra, in addition to
public exhibition space. The music school extends the full length
of the building with spectacular views across the River Tyne and is
equipped with high quality practice rooms and recording studios.
The halls are generally constructed of reinforced concrete with
steel space-frame ‘lids’ that are enclosed by 300mm thick concrete
roofs.
Communication
Achieving the requirements of Gateshead Council and architect Sir
Norman Foster was the biggest driver for innovation when designing
and installing the building services at The Sage. This meant close
communication and co-operation between Foster and Partners,
ourselves, mechanical and electrical contractor Haden Young and
main contractor Laing O’ Rourke.
The Sage Gateshead’s sustainable design features have contributed
to an estimated annual operating energy consumption 40% lower than
current best practice.
Among the energy reducing features of the Sage Gateshead are
minimal comfort cooling and environmental conditioning systems
using thermal mass, natural ventilation and solar shading.
Sustainability
Audiences are kept at a comfortable temperature by displacement
ventilation systems. In Hall One, the pedestal of each seat is fed
by a plenum beneath. The concourse area uses mixed-mode ventilation
– developed using a wind tunnel model and computational fluid
dynamics. This consists of air quality and temperature controlled
warm air, which can be supplemented with integrated natural
ventilation. Other sustainable design features include heat
recovery on all major ventilation plants, a high degree of thermal
insulation and low energy lighting.
The project benefited from the close involvement and management of
the mechanical and electrical services supply chain. Low voltage
distribution boards were completely assembled and tested prior to
delivery, allowing fast track electrical commissioning.
Excellence
As a core element of the funding process, the Building Research
Establishment carried out an independent Environmental Performance
Audit of the project in accordance with the principles of BREEAM.
The resulting ‘excellent’ rating was a key factor in securing a £47
million lottery grant from the Arts Council of England.
All this combines to create a public building that is fully
inclusive and accessible for all as well as being a centrepiece for
the regenerated Tyneside area. What’s more, the Sage provides a
world class music venue in the North-East and consolidates
Tyneside’s position as an arts destination in its own right.
