Mareel Art Centre

Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland

Hoskins Architects

The Mareel Art Centre, located in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands (Scotland) comprises a multi-functional auditorium, two cinemas, a recording studio, a large music and dance rehearsal room, as well as offices and a café/bar. The architectural response reflects the tradition of simple, robust forms typical of these exposed spaces.

Two large ‘cuts’ in the aluminium exterior skin surrounding the building create a sheltered entrance to the main foyer and a large window to the café/bar allows for uninterrupted views across the bay. The acoustic design involved designing substantial sound insulation into the envelope to ensure that external noise (the foghorns of ferries passing close to the building!) was not a problem in the various rooms. The internal soundproofing was designed to ensure that the spaces could be used simultaneously. Finally, the control of the internal acoustics of each space was essential to allow the programming of different types of activities, taking into account the various final uses of the spaces.

Architects: Hoskins Architects

Theatre Design and Acoustic Design: Arup

Role of Sébastien Jouan: Acoustician and Multidisciplinary Project Manager acoustics and theatre design

Arup Team: Sébastien Jouan, Francesca Coppa, Alex Wardle

Opening: 2012