World Heart Beat
Music Academy & Concert Venue

Type: Fit-out
Duration: 38 weeks
Value: £2.2m
Architect: ra-l architects
QS: MDA Consulting
CA: The Design Operation
M&E: KUT LLP

ITC builds incredible new music and performance academy in South London

World Heart Beat Music Academy were awarded a brand-new space within Embassy Gardens, a landmark development in Nine Elms, London.

ITC were selected to fit-out the centre based on our vast experience in constructing complex, high-quality arts and cultural venues.

The 750m2 space provided a blank canvas to work from, and our job was to bring Rory Aitkenhead ARB, director of
ra-l architects’ vision for the Music Academy to life.

Acoustics were key to the success of this multi-functional venue

We built a 200-capacity auditorium; the first in the UK to install the revolutionary 360-degree d&b immersive Soundscape EnScene system (as used on tours by Bjork and Brian Eno).

This extraordinary system ensures every member of the audience will experience the same exceptional quality of sound, regardless of their position in the hall. The joinery to the performance box was also special, not only does it look fantastic, it compliments and enhances the acoustics in the space.

We also built an industry-standard recording studio, sound booth, media suite, green room, teaching room, office space, viewing gantry, WC’s and a sustainable community café.

There were no existing services to the space, so all mechanical, ventilation, plumbing, fire alarms, security and data installations were completely new, and a plant room was created.

Located on the ground floor of a residential block, it was paramount that sound would not disturb the neighbours. We created a sound isolated performance space (box in box construction) to separate it from the rest of the buildings structure. The acoustic test results achieved with this separation far exceeded those predicted.

A Centre for musical excellence

The new centre will help this charity expand their work and transform young lives through music. It will also provide a platform for an array of artists; from students and young people at the very start of their careers, to rising stars and ‘household names,’ performing everything from western classical, to Indian music, jazz, and more.