Fitout Partner: Resonics
Project Location: 161 Old St, London EC1V 9NG
Size: 4,400 sqft
Industry: Entertainment
Product: Acoustic Screens in Origami, Grey
At St. Luke’s Church on Old Street, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) required a sensitive acoustic design solution that would soften natural light without compromising the integrity of their historic rehearsal space.
Originally built in 1733, the Grade I listed building presented strict heritage restrictions: no drilling, no adhesives and no permanent alterations to the protected architecture.
While acoustics were already well established within the space, the client required a solution that balanced subtle performance benefits with strong visual consideration. This acoustic screen project demonstrates how considered design and technical ingenuity can coexist within strict heritage constraints.
Acoufelt developed a fully removable window treatment using Origami 12mm Standard screens in Grey. The screens were positioned across the windows, allowing natural light to pass through while reducing glare, marking the first time Acoufelt has used this approach in this context.
Manufactured at our UK facility using advanced Zünd cutting technology, the intricate pattern was carefully refined to achieve the right scale and rhythm against the window architecture.
In collaboration with Resonics, a bespoke hanging system was developed to ensure the installation was secure yet fully removable, satisfying all conservation requirements.
Working within a Grade I listed building meant every design and technical decision had to respect the historic fabric of the church. No screws, no adhesives and no permanent fixtures were permitted.
The design evolved throughout the process. Pattern scale, panel positioning and hanging methodology were refined to ensure the solution was visually harmonious and technically sound.
Balancing light filtration with preservation of the windows required precision. The final outcome softens sunlight without diminishing the architectural impact of the space.
For one of the world’s leading orchestras, the solution enhances the rehearsal environment without competing with the building’s historic beauty. It is a contemporary intervention delivered with restraint. Protecting the past while supporting performance in the present.
