THE BRITISH ACADEMY

The British Academy’s landmark refurbishment at 10–11 Carlton House Terrace in London is a testament to how cutting-edge audio technology can elevate historic architecture without compromising heritage. Spearheading the audio design across the entire venue was technology consultancy Recursive, which led the AV specification for the lower ground floor’s transformation, while CSL Integration delivered advanced AV systems on the ground and upper floors. Systems integrator Media Powerhouse brought Recursive’s design to life.

On the lower ground floor, Wright & Wright Architects removed dark, compartmentalised areas and crafted a series of three large, pillarless, multi-functional event spaces: the Wohl Gallery, SHAPE Room, and Lecture Room. Recursive’s team developed audio systems designed to perform in these acoustically varied spaces, choosing Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC 2) microphones as the centrepiece of the speech reinforcement strategy. These microphones, installed at ceiling height, use adaptive beamforming and TruVoicelift technology to automatically focus on active speakers anywhere in the room, preserving the elegant architectural lines by eliminating visible microphone setups.

Each room was also equipped with Sennheiser’s SpeechLine Digital Wireless handheld systems to offer presenters flexibility, while MobileConnect provided assistive listening and live audio streaming over personal devices. A control mezzanine overlooks all three spaces and houses the Sennheiser Control Cockpit, centralising real-time monitoring and configuration of all microphone systems.

On the ground floor and upper levels, CSL Integration took over, maintaining the standard of excellence. In the Reading Room and Library – elegant heritage spaces with complex acoustic challenges – CSL installed TCC 2 arrays cleverly around chandeliers to maximise audio capture without altering the room’s appearance. These setups, supported by Q-SYS audio processing and Sennheiser SpeechLine microphones, created highly adaptable conferencing environments.

The upper-floor meeting rooms, including the Helen Langan Room, were equipped with Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling Medium (TCC M) microphones and integrated into Q-SYS and Microsoft Teams platforms for seamless hybrid collaboration. CSL’s meticulous cable routing – achieved without disrupting listed architectural features – ensured pristine audio fidelity and system reliability.

Recursive’s approach to video integration throughout the British Academy exemplified their ability to merge sophisticated visual systems into a Grade I listed building without compromising architectural integrity. Starting with the lower ground floor, reimagined into three pillarless event spaces: the Wohl Gallery, SHAPE Room, and Lecture Room, the brief was to deliver flexible, future-proof spaces that could support everything from academic talks to creative exhibitions.

The Lecture Room is home to a striking 4m x 4m NEC 1.9mm pixel-pitch LED videowall, offering high-definition visual content across a nearly 1:1 canvas. With its almost seamless integration into the architectural wall, the screen is perfect for digital art, hybrid events, and corporate presentations. PTZ cameras by Panasonic were installed to support video conferencing and streaming, while video content is distributed and controlled using bespoke TouchDesigner software and routed through Q-SYS systems.

In the SHAPE Room, Recursive and Media Powerhouse devised a projection solution to meet high-spec visual needs while preserving aesthetic minimalism. Four edge-blended Epson projectors are ceiling-mounted above a custom-built, curved projection wall, delivering a resolution of approximately 4350 x 1200 pixels. Video control is handled centrally from the mezzanine-level control room, which offers live monitoring and signal routing.

The Wohl Gallery balances technology with visual subtlety. A 20,000-lumen Epson projector is used instead of a fixed videowall, allowing the space to remain uncluttered when not in use. Additional AV infrastructure includes an 86-inch LCD screen with a Bose videobar, making the space ideal for hybrid meetings.

On the ground and upper floors, CSL Integration implemented Microsoft Teams-compatible video systems in the Reading Room, Library, and upper-level meeting rooms. These setups include Lenovo Compute modules, Logitech Tap interfaces, large-format displays (up to 85 inches), and discreet PTZ cameras. Touch interfaces ensure ease of use, especially for Academy Fellows and guests without AV expertise.

Video feeds from all event rooms are monitored and managed from the central control room using Epiphan Pearl-2 and Blackmagic ATEM systems, with signal switching and signage managed via TriplePlay and Adder KVM solutions. This AV-over-IP ecosystem allows for complete flexibility and real-time adaptability.

Transforming a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse into a 21st-century, technology-enabled multipurpose venue was no small feat. The British Academy project presented a series of interwoven architectural, acoustic, and operational challenges.

One of the core challenges lay in the architectural sensitivity of the building. Recursive and CSL Integration had to work within strict preservation regulations, which meant conventional installation methods – such as cutting into walls or ceilings – were not permitted. CSL’s expert team overcame this by routing cables beneath floorboards, lifting them from the level above to access voids without altering protected surfaces. This precise work required coordination with the Academy’s in-house maintenance team, ensuring no damage to the heritage structure while maintaining AV performance.

Acoustics presented another significant hurdle. Many of the rooms were never designed for speech or amplified sound, such as the Music Room, originally built for performances. Recursive addressed this by specifying Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling 2 microphones with adaptive beamforming and TruVoicelift. These unobtrusive ceiling-mounted mics preserved visual integrity while offering excellent intelligibility, especially in rooms where reverberation or multiple concurrent speakers could be problematic.

In the SHAPE Room, Recursive faced the dual challenge of integrating a high-resolution projection system without disturbing the clean architectural lines of the space. To meet this need, they designed a bespoke curved screen that blended into the wall, accompanied by a colour-matched paint finish and careful projector alignment. Matching technical excellence with architectural harmony became a recurring theme.

RF interference and WiFi saturation were additional concerns, especially with the Academy’s expanded hybrid event schedule. The audio team, including Sennheiser’s technical support engineers, conducted rigorous RF planning, prioritising antenna placement and leveraging wireless solutions like the SpeechLine Digital Wireless system and MobileConnect to mitigate signal congestion.

The demand for highly adaptable spaces – capable of switching between livestreamed conferences, in-person debates, art installations, and hybrid board meetings – required an intuitive control ecosystem. TouchDesigner software was deployed to create custom video switching interfaces, while Crestron and Q-SYS systems offered simplified control pathways.

The British Academy’s recent refurbishment has successfully transformed a historically significant Grade I listed building into a highly functional and adaptable multipurpose venue. From academic symposia and public panel events to hybrid corporate meetings, the building now accommodates a wide variety of use cases without compromising its heritage or visual identity.

The project demonstrates how audiovisual systems can be seamlessly integrated into heritage architecture. Ceiling-mounted TCC 2 and TCC M microphones enable clear, hands-free voice capture in rooms of varying sizes and formats, while Sennheiser’s MobileConnect solution provides inclusive support for hearing-impaired guests without requiring permanent, intrusive fixtures. AV-over-IP infrastructure based on Dante and Q-SYS allows flexible audio and video distribution between rooms, enabling events to scale across the venue.

Each space—whether the SHAPE Room with its edge-blended projection and technical lighting, or the Reading Room with its discreet Microsoft Teams-enabled conferencing setup—has been designed to support a wide spectrum of formats and functions. This diversity is what makes the British Academy a truly multipurpose venue, supporting lectures, screenings, hybrid meetings, exhibitions, performances, and networking receptions with equal ease.

The collaborative spirit behind the project also stands out. Recursive’s long-term involvement ensured consistent AV design from early cabling to system commissioning. Media Powerhouse brought their systems integration expertise to the lower ground floor’s complex environments, while CSL Integration maintained exacting standards on the upper floors. Wright & Wright Architects provided the architectural framework that allowed these systems to breathe within the building’s listed interiors.

Importantly, the system has been designed for real-world usability. Microsoft Teams integrations and Logitech Tap control panels allow for quick, intuitive use of AV equipment, giving both Academy staff and external hirers confidence in running events without extensive technical support. This ease of use supports higher utilisation and commercial sustainability for the venue.

Overall, the British Academy’s refurbishment is a strong example of how thoughtful AV design can elevate a heritage site into a future-facing, multipurpose venue. It meets the highest technical standards while remaining accessible, flexible, and respectful of its historical context.