Case Studies
Richmond Theatre, Project Royal
Richmond Theatre is an iconic Grade II* listed building which was first constructed in 1899.
Major refurbishments were undertaken in the early 1990s, but owner and operator, Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), now want to undertake further improvements driven by condition survey and planned preventative maintenance life cycle upgrade(s).
Due to past experience on similar venues such as the Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Rolton Group were appointed to undertake a high level mechanical and electrical building services survey and inform piece to complete RIBA Stage 0/1, Strategic Definition & Preparation and Brief.
Before Rolton Group was appointed, the landlord had another company carry out a mechanical and electrical building services condition survey of the existing assets.
Rolton Group was then required to ratify the findings of this report in collaboration with contractor Playfords Ltd, who undertook a more invasive mechanical and electrical validation survey.
More specifically, our engineers are responsible for defining the scope of works in relation to MEP condition, compliance and planned preventative maintenance (PPM) of the existing assets, with regards to LV distribution, mains cold water and HVAC.
During the team’s investigations, significant faults were found within the auditorium ventilation, heating and plant controls. To overcome this, a brief was developed to replace all of the plant systems in accordance with the PPM strategy to allow for improvements in design.
Following sign-off of the brief by ATG, Rolton Group prepared a high-level performance design to RIBA Stage 3 and developed design for negotiated tender by Playfords Ltd, to mitigate design and procurement lead times to meet the tight deadline for start on-site during a very rare dark period for the Theatre. The dark period will allow works to commence and continue during normal working hours prior to the Theatre re-opening to the public in Q3 2019.
Rolton Group was retained client side in the role of Technical Advisor for RIBA Stage 4-7 of the contract. All works required local authority planning approval and sign-off by the listed building consent officer in conjunction with the appointed Heritage Consultant and Building Surveyor.