Auditorium Design
Professional Profiles
We draw on many years of experience to give you the benefit of our knowledge.
Adrian James, Acoustician BSc MIOA
Adrian James graduated from Imperial College, London in 1984 with an Honours degree in Physics. He then spent two years in contract research into fluid flow dynamics and active noise control, and a further eight years gaining consultancy experience in large acoustics consultancies in London. In that time he was responsible for acoustic aspects of over 150 projects including BBC White City, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, and several concert halls and theatres in England, Ireland and Hong Kong. He also led acoustic studies for the refurbishments of the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Royal Opera House in London.
In 1994 he established Adrian James Acoustics, an independent consultancy specialising in the acoustic design of buildings for the performing arts and education. The practice has since expanded into other areas of acoustics and noise control, and has undertaken more than a thousand commissions of all sizes in the UK, mainland Europe and the Middle East. He was a principal author of the DfES Building Bulletin 93 "Acoustics of Schools" and continues to advise government departments and several county councils on the acoustics of buildings for education.
Adrian has chaired a number of technical committees and working groups on acoustic measurements, and has published and presented papers in English and French on a wide range of acoustic subjects. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Acoustics and a past Chairman of the Association of Noise Consultants.
Ian Rees, Electroacoustic Designer BSc(Hons) Dip IoA AMIOA
Ian Rees qualified in Software Systems for the Arts and Media at the University of Hertfordshire in 1999 and found his way, after a stint as a Model Designer at Legoland Windsor, to the Orpheus Centre in Godstone, Surrey. He worked there for four years as a Music Technologist, running the theatre and recording studios and providing technical support for performances at a variety of venues including the Royal Opera House, Hampton Court, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Glastonbury festival.
In 2004, Ian studied for the Institute of Acoustics Diploma at NESCOT and won the IOA Diploma Prize. He joined Adrian James Acoustics in March 2005, where he specialises in computer modelling, sound system design, auralisation and visualisation of performance spaces. Recent and current projects include the new RLPO Rehearsal Centre, the Cornerstone Performing Arts Centre at Liverpool Hope University, the refurbishment of a listed building for Norwich University College of the Arts, the Open youth venue in Norwich, and Liverpool Hope University’s new Education and Enterprise Building.
Ian is a member of the Institute of Acoustics and an associate member of the Society of Theatre Consultants.
Andy Thompson Audio Engineer BMus (Hons) Tonmeister
An electronic engineer and musician, Andy Thompson qualified from the University of Surrey with the Tonmeister degree in music and sound recording. He then spent three years at the University's Institute of Sound Recording, where he was responsible for designing, installing and maintaining recording studios and equipment. Andy holds the Institute of Acoustics Diploma, being commended for achieving Merits in five separate subjects.
In 2002 Andy joined Adrian James Acoustics where he specialises in acoustics of performance and education buildings, studio design and music technology systems. He has led the acoustic designs for a wide range of projects, including major refurbishment works at the Bishopsgate Institute, new performing arts centres at Hampton School and Gresham's School, and computer modelling of Victoria Station Underground.
Andy was one of the first accredited acoustics testers under the ANC Registration Scheme, and is an Inspector for the Robust Details sound insulation scheme. He is a member of the Institute of Acoustics and the Audio Engineering Society
Michael Holden, Theatre Consultant BA(Hons) MSTC, FRSA
Michael Holden trained as a stage manager before joining the London County Council Architect's Department. After eight years as a project manager and consultant he returned to the theatre, producing plays on tour and in London. In 1970 he joined Theatre Projects Consultants (TPC), working on the National Theatre, the Barbican, the Young Vic, Christ's College School and regional theatres throughout the country. He was overseas director of TPC for several years designing theatres in Hong Kong, Ghana, Nigeria, and Mexico. He also spent a year at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden where he created the 1974 brief for the redevelopment of the ROH.
In 1976 Michael set up his own theatre consultancy practice, undertaking management consultancy as well as the creation of architectural briefs, concept design and equipment of theatres. Major projects included The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith and the Globe Theatre, for which he prepared the business plans and eventually took over the reins on Sam Wanamaker's death in December 1993. Michael was Chief Executive of the Globe through the major building period and opening, leaving in 1998 with the project thoroughly established and making the predicted surplus in operations.
Michael has designed or advised on more than 60 theatres, concert halls and educational buildings. These include the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Haverhill Town Hall, Hampton Hill Playhouse, the 600-seat Millennium Hall of Woldingham School, Derry Theatre and the Kingston-on-Thames Rose Theatre. Many of these projects were undertaken with Adrian James Acoustics and he is now our in-house Theatre Consultant, working on projects including the new RLPO Rehearsal Centre in Liverpool, Hampton School's new Performing Arts Centre, Latvian National Opera, and the Liverpool Cornerstone Arts Building.