BBC Music Studios:
Acoustic performance for a world-class music facility
The BBC Music Studios at East Bank, located within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London, form part of a major new cultural district designed to bring together leading institutions in music, education and the arts.
The 8,500m² facility has been designed to support a wide range of music activities, including orchestra rehearsals, recording sessions and live performances. To meet the demanding acoustic requirements of these spaces, the building required robust internal construction capable of controlling sound transmission between studios, rehearsal rooms and performance areas.
Blockwork played a key role in achieving this performance, with Lignacite products specified to form the internal walls across the development. The masonry package was delivered by Galostar, a specialist brickwork and blockwork contractor with extensive experience across London projects, appointed by main contractor Mace.
Key Facts
| Location | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London |
|---|---|
| Sector | Cultural |
| Lignacite products used | Lignacite, Lignacrete, Midi Concrete Block, |
| Architect | Allies and Morrison |
| Developer | London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) |
| Construction Manager | Mace |
| Blockwork Subcontractor | Galostar |
| Completion date | 2026 |
The Project
Music facilities require extremely high levels of acoustic performance. Within the BBC Music Studios building, the design accommodates multiple recording studios, rehearsal spaces and a performance stage while preventing sound transmission between rooms. It will also be home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers.
This means internal wall construction has to provide strong acoustic separation. Achieving this involves combining blockwork with insulation and specialist detailing at wall heads and bases to prevent noise transfer.
Our Solution
Lignacite blocks were specified for internal wall construction throughout the BBC Music Studios at East Bank. Their density and reliable performance characteristics made them the ideal solution for achieving the acoustic targets required for the studios.
They were also suitable for use alongside structural systems that integrate support within the masonry, removing the need for separate steel wind posts and fireboard finishes, while maintaining a consistent appearance. Lignacite blocks complement the system due to their uniformity, ensuring precise wall build-up.
BBC Music Studios also provided an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of Lignacite blocks. Lignacite Paint Grade blocks were selected by the architect for their visual effect, with sections of blockwork left exposed.
This quality became evident in areas where architectural detailing was introduced. Recessed joints and contrasting mortar colours were used in sections of the masonry, highlighting the sharp edges and appearance of the blockwork.
In areas where higher levels of sound insulation were needed, high-density Lignacrete blocks were specified. These provide enhanced acoustic performance compared with many alternative masonry products, helping the construction meet the decibel ratings set out in the project’s design.
The project also incorporated Lignacrete Midi blocks. These solid, dense blocks offer the same performance characteristics as the wider Lignacrete range but in a smaller 290mm x 215mm format, with each unit weighing 20kg to support manual handling requirements on site. Their reduced face size improves installation efficiency while maintaining the consistent quality and finish expected from Lignacite products.
The Block
2 products
The masonry works on the project were delivered by Galostar, a specialist brickwork and blockwork contractor with more than three decades’ experience providing masonry packages across London.
According to Galostar’s Construction Director Colin Thompson, Lignacite products have been used on the majority of the company’s projects over that time. “Pretty much every project we’ve worked on over the last 32 years has used Lignacite blocks.”
This long-standing working relationship helped ensure a smooth supply process, even within the logistical constraints of a busy London construction site. Deliveries were carefully coordinated to meet strict site access windows, often requiring multiple deliveries per day to keep pace with the programme.
Despite these constraints, materials consistently arrived on time, allowing masonry works to progress efficiently throughout the build.
The Result
The completed blockwork provides the robust acoustic separation required for the BBC Music Studios, supporting a facility designed for rehearsal, recording and performance. By combining Lignacite and Lignacrete blocks in key areas, the wall construction meets the demanding criteria set out for the building.
Alongside its technical performance, the quality and uniformity of the blocks enabled a high standard of finish throughout. The result is a building where acoustic performance, structural integration and visual quality are achieved through a single, coordinated masonry solution.
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