PROJECT DESCRIPTION
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This project used the ruined remains of a Grade I listed Hawksmoor Church on London’s Old Street as the framework for creating a brand new music education centre for the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as a venue for orchestra rehearsals, small-scale concerts, conferences, meetings and functions. The conversion retains all the original heritage features of the building.

METHOD
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The LSO initiated and coordinated a programme of public involvement, because it believed it was essential to involve the local community in the project from the beginning of the design period. Local concerns ranged from what would happen to a well-loved but neglected landmark, and how it would be used post-completion, to the impact of noisy and disruptive building works on the surrounding open spaces.

"We felt it was vital to explain the various stages of the project, which would include such diverse activities as the exhumation of corpses and the historic moment of putting on the new roof." commented the client.

"Just as important however was the need to reinforce the fact that this redundant church was being brought back into use for the community, and that they would have access to it through the LSO’s award-winning education programme, encompassing work with schools, special needs groups, young musicians and older people as well as through public performance. We therefore needed to stimulate interest and discussion, and ensure that the final designs would meet their needs. It was also important to involve the musicians who will work in the building in discussions ranging from catering provision to acoustic treatment in the main hall."

The LSO’s input was complemented by separate consultation processes used by the Project Directors and the architects, Levitt Bernstein Associates, for specific requirements such as access, catering provision and hall facilities.

The local community of all ages, existing LSO audiences for its events at the Barbican, musicians who work with or for the LSO, sound recording engineers, the music and music education community, local government, local residents, youth groups, disabled groups, schools, teachers, youth providers, EC1 New Deal officials and Board members were all involved with site tours, open days, presentations to local groups, community newsletters and focus group sessions. A community development manager was appointed, based at the local community day centre; a specially commissioned video documentary was distributed locally; the LSO website tracked the project, and sessions were run with LSO musicians and soloists and conductors.

BENEFIT
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There is heightened public awareness of the new facility and local people feel that the church has been brought back into use for their benefit. The LSO has forged valuable links with the local community which should have positive consequences for the sale of tickets for events held at St Luke’s.

The design of the spaces in the building and the facilities that it contains meet the needs of all the stakeholders in the project and the client was able to modify designs for aspects of the project as it developed.

The LSO’s ability to demonstrate to major project funders and other potential project funders that they were consulting their stakeholders throughout the project, made it easier for them to fundraise successfully.