A project to convert two underused small recording spaces into modern, functional office space.
Real World Studios occupies a 200 year old Mill building in the village of Box, Wiltshire. As well as housing recording studios, rehearsal spaces, and residential accommodation for visiting artists, the complex is home to WOMAD and Real Wold Records.
The old mill building, which is the focal point of the site, already housed the main recording studios and limited office space, but the decision was taken to strip out two smaller studios at the far end of the building and convert them into additional offices. This required careful dismantling of the many layers of structure which had been constructed and insulated to create the required acoustics, taking care not to damage any of the historic fabric of the mill in the process.
The shell of the building was repaired in traditional materials to match the existing, before the internal spaces were reconfigured and fitted out to suit the clients brief for contemporary workspace. This was achieved with the introduction of crisp lines and specialist finishes such as poured rubber flooring and a feature steel staircase with frosted glass treads
All works were undertaken whilst the surrounding recording studios were still in operation, requiring sensitivity in the sequencing of works and organisation of daily activities.