Buro Happold scoops award for Perth Concert Hall

Perth Concert Hall in Scotland, for which Buro Happold was building-services consulting engineer, has won the project-of-the-year category at the International Building Services Awards for 2007. This contemporary concert hall and conference venue includes a 1200-seat concert hall that through the use of retractable seating and moveable staging can be transformed into a number of set-ups — from flat floor to theatre in the round. The judges said, ‘The designers have shunned the standard design solution for an extremely elegant engineering design solution that perfectly complements the building’s architecture. Rod Manson, partner with Buro Happold, says, ‘For maximum people comfort at Perth Concert Hall, it was important to ensure that ventilation would work efficiently, while ensuring a low-energy design solution for the venue.’ Key design features to create a highly sustainable building include exposed thermal mass, extensive use of natural ventilation and facade shading. Initial energy-monitoring figures show that the building’s energy use is below the industry standard. Buro Happold also provided structural engineering, fire engineering and environmental simulation analysis for the project.

Related links:

• www.burohappold.com