Described by the judges as "magic in maple", the full award citation reads: "This building has been delivered on an exceptionally tight budget but is none the poorer for that. Set in the green belt and within earshot of the M25, the hall is conspicuously located in a prominent position on a site that slopes gently away from the loose collection of school buildings strung along the skyline.
"The Hall is the building. Externally, it is simple, economic and restrained. A glazed timber structure confidently wraps around the brick and zinc clad hall masking its scale. Inside, the hall is magic in maple. The acoustics are remarkable. Everything from the stage approach, to the backstage areas is direct and sensitive to the needs of young performers. This is a remarkably flexible and friendly performance building, which hits all the buttons.
"From the first impression on entering the grounds through to the footpath approach down the winding path, the straightforward L-shaped foyer and sensuous interior of the hall, this project exudes straightforward quality, confidence and pragmatism. It exemplifies the best of reserved Englishness and is a clear example of a great client working with an excellent architect to come up with a very clear design."
The project also featured the work of other ABTT individual and company members, most notably: Davis Langdon LLP (project manager, quantity surveyors & planning supervisor); Anne Minors (performance consultant); White Light Electrics (production lighting using ETC equipment); Unusual Rigging (motorised chandeliers system); J&C Joel (acoustic drapes).
Mark White, ABTT Chairman says: "I congratulate Mark and the rest of his team at Burrell Foley Fischer LLP - Matt Lunn, Richard Asbury and Simon Horner - for their outstanding work on the Menuhin Hall, so rightly recognised by this prestigious award. It is also very pleasing to note the contribution of other ABTT participants, including board member Anne Minors, to this world-class performance and recording venue."
(Chris Henry)
