The New Theatre at Opera Holland Park

It seems remarkable that the canopy at Holland Park performed its duties for nearly twenty years. High tensile fabric structures are beautiful things - natural physics defines their form and shape and there is no better designer than nature itself. Every season we would marvel at the gorgeous lines and spectacular shape of the roof under which we performed. The ultra slim elliptical masts soaring into the (sometimes) blue sky always looked spectacular. So there is some regret that the life of the original canopy has now ended, but its replacement, scheduled to last another 15 to 20 years, will be a worthy successor.

The new canopy has been designed by Architen Landrell Associates, one of the world's leading fabric structure companies. It will be built and installed in time for the 2007 season. The canopy will certainly be one of the most spectacular temporary buildings in the country with four soaring main masts in two V-shaped configurations and twelve saw-tooth peaks that afford the building incredible rigidity and stability. The space covered increases from 1200 to 1600 square metres and there is also an increase in height, enabling us to install a steeper, more comfortable seating stand beneath it. The revolutionary difference with the canopy is that it combines with a unique structure designed to cover the entire stage, giving full height and full width views of Holland House. The steel structure sits in the forecourt of the building above the stage, and with a system of outrigger arms it stretches like a webbed hand over the delicate Grade I listed building. Not one screw, bolt or rope will make contact with the façade.

The old canopy had two pick-up points that supported the entire lighting rig. Now the rig will be supported on the steel structure over the stage and the canopy itself will have exponentially more rigidity (no more swinging rigs on windy days!).

Acoustically, the repetitive peaks of the inside profile of the canopy are designed to provide several focal points for the downwards reflection of sound. The steeper back section of the seating structure also receives a more direct sound path from the stage and orchestra pit.

The roof is only half of the development of Opera Holland Park's home. The other part is, of course, the seats underneath. As with the canopy, we have worked with several designers to come up with something a little out of the ordinary. Established structure designs are coupled with bespoke configurations to create the seating stand, which is completely temporary but will feel anything but. The structure is provided by Grandstands Worldwide, who is working alongside Alto Systems and Evertaut Seating to deliver a bespoke seating solution that takes into account the demands of our patrons. First and foremost the legroom will be almost six inches greater than previously. There will be armrests, high backs and deep, comfortable upholstery. Indeed, this is a new seat especially designed for OHP.

There will be five entrances to the stand, including a large vomitory that emerges from underneath the stand onto a central walkway, greatly improving ingress and egress. The back half of the stand will be steeper and higher, offering superb sightlines. The front half will remain at present rise heights but increased space between rows will greatly improve comfort. A specially designed front row area will accommodate wheelchair users and their carers in greater comfort and makes access easier.

All of this added space and comfort comes at a price however - and that is reduced foyer space. In order to combat this and to accommodate two bars, a spectacular mezzanine floor will be installed, integrating beautifully with the back of the seating structure and almost doubling foyer space. By adding bespoke covering along the balustrades beyond the yew hedge, we will add a further 140 square metres of public space. The mezzanine stands at a height of 4.2 m and beneath it patrons will be even more protected from the elements whilst enjoying a bright, airy atmosphere. Two beautiful glass panelled staircases will carry visitors up to the mezzanine and seating stand.

Elsewhere in the theatre, decking will be introduced to the picnic area west of the seating, creating a large and even surface with more space for tables. Full coverings will be installed here too.

The whole project, which has been 18 months in the making, is designed to bring a new level of comfort to OHP whilst retaining the uniquely intimate and informally sophisticated atmosphere for which we have become renowned. The new theatre will deliver an unrivalled summer experience, combining comfort with spectacular aesthetic and bringing state of the art technology into perfect harmony with one of the most historic and bucolic settings in London.