He said the acoustics were key to the design and went on: "It has dictated the use of brick which has a greater
acoustic mass than glazing".
They included Covent Garden VI; New Opera House, Oslo; Opera de Paris, Palais Gamier;
Acoustic Mass VI (The Old Vic) (all works 2005).
Concrete was selected as the primary construction material for the halls, due to its ability to produce complex geometric shapes and its inherent
acoustic mass.
They moderate the vibration set up by endless trains, and their ameliorating effect is amplified by a sandbag wall, which provides
acoustic mass.
The galleries are designed as a series of enclosed in-situ concrete boxes which give thermal and
acoustic mass to protect the internal environment which is controlled by a sophisticated Building Management System and latest technology in thermal ice storage.
The arrangement provides enough
acoustic mass and separation, and is complemented by 150mm of acoustic absorbents over all interior surfaces.
