Charcoalblue

Really proud to see ECU City and WAAPA Theatre looking every bit as ambitious as it was on paper.   This isn’t just a new home for WAAPA. It’s a seven-storey performance and learning ecosystem where teaching, live performance, broadcast, recording and post-production all have to work together, seamlessly.   More than 100 spaces. Eight performance venues. One highly connected AV ecosystem.   Behind those numbers is a huge amount of design thinking, problem-solving and collaboration to make a complex vertical campus feel like one connected place.   In this great case study from AV.technology, our Senior Consultant Russell Proud shares some of the thinking behind the project, and why connectivity was so fundamental to making it work.   A brilliant project to be part of, and even better to see it brought to life.   Thanks to AV.technology for capturing the story, and to everyone who helped turn an ambitious vision for WAAPA’s new home into reality. 👏

This could be your first week too 😍   Check out our job vacancies for: 🏛️ Venue Design Consultant 📐 Design Manager US 📐 Design Manager UK 🔊 Associate Director - Acoustics - Australia Help shape extraordinary performance spaces around the world, working from the earliest creative concepts through to opening night. You’ll collaborate with leading architects and clients to design venues that bring together audience experiences and exceptional performance functionality. Sound like you? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ejZmbbZG

We are pleased to report that the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob's Pillow has received an Honorable Mention at The International Architecture Awards!   Working with Mecanoo and Marvel, Charcoalblue provided theatre and acoustic design consultancy to help shape this ambitious, world-class performance space. Congratulations to all involved 🌟

More brilliant news for Pembroke, Mill Lane.   The project - just weeks ago shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize - has been shortlisted for RIBA’s inaugural Conservation Award, celebrating the very best in the creative and sensitive restoration of historic buildings.   Proud to have played a part in this exceptional project.   https://lnkd.in/eG3i2Xq5 

Delighted to have been part of the journey of this Music Theatre in Bergen, Norway. We're looking forward to seeing the project continue to take shape.

"A sensitive lighting refurbishment for one of London’s most significant listed theatres."   Take a read of GDS Pioneering Light's insightful look at the newly completed lighting refurbishment of the Barbican Theatre.   Working with GDS and Push The Button Ltd, the project replaced the auditorium’s ageing tungsten and halogen lighting with a more efficient LED system, while carefully preserving the warmth, atmosphere and distinctive character of this Grade II listed space.   More than 560 luminaires and lamps were incorporated across the theatre, using the existing wiring to minimise disruption to the building.   A strong example of how one of London’s most recognisable performance spaces can be sensitively modernised without losing what makes it so special. https://lnkd.in/ejUqf4rh

More good news for BNZ Theatre in Hamilton, which has picked up both the Civic Award and the overall Premier Award at the inaugural NZ Interior Awards.   We worked alongside Jasmax and RDT Pacific on the theatre, creating a flexible 1,300-seat venue designed to host everything from large-scale performances to community and cultural events.   It’s brilliant to see the project recognised alongside such a varied and inspiring mix of work from across Aotearoa.   A huge congratulations to everyone involved, and to all of the winners on the night!

Another proud moment for one of our project teams. Edith Cowan University has been shortlisted for the 2026 National Architecture Awards in the Educational Architecture category. We're proud to have contributed across more than 70 spaces, leading the design of theatre technical systems and advising on performance, rehearsal, broadcast, media and production environments. Congratulations to the entire team on this latest recognition 🌟 https://lnkd.in/g9MeKCug

Recognition for projects that push boundaries is always worth celebrating.   The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities at the University of Oxford has been named a finalist in The Concrete Society Awards and shortlisted in the Social Infrastructure Project category at the British Construction Industry & Infrastructure Awards.   We’re also delighted that the Cambridge Arts Theatre made the shortlist for the Architects’ Journal Retrofit & Reuse Awards in the Conservation & Historic Building category, recognising the care and expertise involved in revitalising a prominent historic asset.   Congratulations to everyone involved across both projects on this well-deserved recognition.  

We're proud to have been part of the teams behind two of the six shortlisted projects for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize! Congratulations to everyone who contributed to Pembroke College, Cambridge and BEAM. We look forward to celebrating with our fellow shortlisted teams when the winner is announced on 15 October 🌟 https://lnkd.in/eNPuptM5