The implication of new legislation to reduce carbon emissions being introduced through Climate Change, Energy and Planning Bills will be addressed by the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP, Minister for Culture, and Peter Head, director, planning and integrated urbanism, Arup in opening and closing contributions.
From the theatre world, the carbon comfort work in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's Transformation Project will be covered by Peter Wilson, its project director, along with Stephen Jolly of Buro Happold, the project's engineers and architect Rab Bennets. Attendees will also get the chance to hear about the energy adaptations being planned at Glyndebourne, Arcola and the National Theatre.
Chaired by the inimitable Channel Four News anchorman, Jon Snow and arts aficionado, Nigel Hinds, along with Ruth Eastwood, CEO of Leicester Theatre Trust and Ian Blackburn, capital project director at the Southbank Centre, Building Sustainable Theatres will provide the opportunity to share valuable experiences and knowledge in a stimulating way, say the organizers.
The morning of the conference will take a look at the bigger picture surrounding climate change and how it is affecting theatres. Three perspectives, from Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall, Richard Simmons, CEO of CABE and John Graham, CEO of Historic Scotland, start the debate as each raises what they feel are the key issues in the areas of theatre performance, architecture and design and heritage.
The afternoon focuses on practical delivery and how changes to Building Regulations and the introduction of energy performance assessments could affect the design of theatres. Delegates will get a chance to hear from construction and theatre industry experts who are either in the course of major capital projects or introducing adaptations to improve the energy performance of their buildings.
The most recent budget statement announced that all new non-domestic buildings are intended to be zero-carbon from 2019. This has significant implications for theatres as they look to find ways to net off their energy use. All the signs are that similar requirements will soon follow for existing buildings. Conference 08 aims to help theatres identify what steps they can take towards adaptation, introducing renewables and improving energy performance, whether they be older historic buildings or built later in the 20th Century.
Once again the Trust's conference is tying into the ABTT Theatre Show which opens the following day, encouraging conference delegates to visit the Show to see what manufacturers and suppliers are able to do to help theatres reduce their energy consumption. The support of the industry has been instrumental in making the conference happen. This year sponsors include ABTT, ETC, Arup, Carr & Angier, Charcoalblue, Harlequin Floors, Northern Light, Theatre Projects Consultants, White Light. Max Fordham and the National Theatre. Media Partners are Lighting & Sound International and The Stage.
(Jim Evans)
