St Cecilia’s Hall

The University’s vision was to transform the space into a world-class venue for instrument display, music teaching and live performance reviving its legacy as a hub for cultural excellence since the Georgian era.

The project involved careful demolition, followed by the construction of a new infill building to accommodate a welcoming entrance foyer, lift access and a modern plant room. Alongside these works, the historic structure was meticulously restored to preserve its architectural integrity while meeting contemporary performance, accessibility and environmental standards.

The restoration of St Cecilia’s Hall focused on preserving its historic character while delivering modern functionality to support teaching, performance and exhibition use.

Key works included the redevelopment of the concert hall, with new seating, improved sound insulation and enhanced acoustics to support a wide range of performances. Exhibition spaces were extended and reconfigured to better showcase the University of Edinburgh’s renowned musical instrument collection.

Accessibility was significantly improved through a reorientation of the building’s entrance, clear signage and the installation of step free routes ensuring the venue is welcoming and inclusive for all users, including disabled students, staff and visitors.

We upgraded building services throughout, including heating, lighting and climate control systems, to increase energy efficiency and improve the indoor environment for delicate artefacts. The exterior envelope and roof were restored, including the replacement of the cupola, enhancing the Hall’s architectural presence and ensuring long term protection of this important heritage asset.

Challenge

Installing canopy lintels above the new entrance posed a logistical issue. Each unit weighed over 800kg and the planned installation coincided with the busy Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Solution

As the work wasn’t on the critical path, we rescheduled delivery with the supplier to follow the festival. A partial road closure was secured and the lintels were safely lifted over the building and into position. This demanded precise planning and coordination across several supply chain partners to maintain programme and safety standards.

Challenge

New air handling plant in the concert hall risked compromising acoustic performance.

Solution

We engaged an acoustician to advise on attenuation measures. Their input ensured the new system met the stringent acoustic requirements of the space.