The main contractor Knight Harwood Ltd invited Sound Solutions to meet with them and Benedetti Architects for the BAFTA 195 Piccadilly project a year ahead of our involvement on site. After talking through our experience in the intricate processes of a cinema fit out, the quality of our previous work on other projects and our ability to find technical solutions to the Architect’s design visions, we were successful in winning the project.

For the two cinema auditoriums in the BAFTA Headquarters - the Princess Anne Theatre, and the smaller Run Run Shaw theatre – our work included fitting the stretch fabric wall and ceiling acoustic treatments in both auditoriums. The final finishes on the side walls, rear walls, projection walls, ceilings and the walls behind the screens are all by Sound Solutions.

Benedetti Architects Ltd presented us with a sawtooth LED design for the Princess Anne Theatre walls and ceilings, which we brought to life by making it technically feasible. To achieve this we worked in extremely close collaboration with Dolby and Benedetti Architects well ahead of our start on site. Dolby have very specific technical requirements in order for a cinema to be Dolby certified to produce the best sound and picture quality presently available.

We produced fully detailed 3D models in collaboration with Benedetti Architects, Dolby’s UK project management teams and Architects from their San Francisco Head Office to ensure that Benedetti’s sawtooth design vision worked seamlessly with Dolby’s technical requirements, in particular, that our structural ceiling framework did not interfere with their speaker sound paths, and met their exacting standards.

The BAFTA Piccadilly project was an incredibly high profile project to work on with one of the highest technical specifications for an auditorium in the world. Being associated with the BAFTA and Dolby name is an honour and providing the high quality finish that they demand, is what Sound Solutions is all about.

By improving facilities and doubling the building’s capacity, the redevelopment will enable BAFTA to dramatically increase its charitable programme. 195 Piccadilly will be a creative centre for film, games and television and the central hub for BAFTA’s UK-wide, and global, learning and talent development programme. A world-leading independent arts charity, BAFTA works throughout the year to find and promote the next generation of talent and to break down the barriers that can make it hard to build careers in the creative industries.

“Thanks AGAIN for really being on the “team” to make this install special.”

Paul Frick
Director
Dolby Cinema Architectural Services

“We’re all very happy with the way BAFTA has turned out, it’s a remarkable space and certainly something to be proud of. We’ve done several demos there since the opening and people are always impressed so your name has come up quite a few times. I still marvel at the magnetic Qalif window cover under the port window every time I’m there.”

Tom Dodgson
Senior Manager
Dolby Cinema Implementation EMEA

“The Princess Anne Theatre at Bafta was a challenging and high-profile project. The build and final finish not only had to be the highest quality aesthetically, but also work with and around the large amount audio, visual technology to give the best viewing and listening experience possible to Bafta.

Sound Solutions delivered a design and build that fulfilled both these criteria perfectly. They were intent on getting things correct first time on site and, when needed, adapted quickly with solutions to unexpected situations or requests.

The SSL build team were always approachable and worked and communicated with the Dolby team closely to ensure the install stayed on track.

The final result of Sound Solutions work in the Princess Anne Theatre is a world class screening room that draws hugely positive reactions from everyone who visits and uses it.”

Joe Papineau
Site Manager
Dolby Cinema EMEA

“Would just like to say a big thank you again. Amazing work at the design stage before we even got on site. The physical install was the icing on the cake.”

Chris Quested
Senior Manager, Content Services
Dolby Cinema EMEA

“Sound Solutions were selected following a number of up-front design coordination meetings that were required to resolve a number of technical challenges that had arisen and required a specialist contractors input to resolve. Sound Solutions offered their assistance without the surety of securing the project when others did not.

Once on-board Sound Solutions overcame a number of obstacles to successfully deliver a fantastic project that both we and the client are very happy with. We look forward to working with them again in the future.”

Alex Tarrant
BAFTA Project Manager
Knight Harwood (Main Contractor)