Helen Grassly has been invited to participate in this year’s International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference. The ITEAC is the leading international gathering for those involved in the planning, design, construction, specification and operation of places of entertainment. It happens every four years, and the next edition promises to be the most diverse and learned conference since the event’s inception in 2002.
Helen will be participating in the session titled What's New in Architecture?. Presentations will offer a round-up of new theatre architecture from across the world, starting with the regeneration of an architectural masterpiece, Sydney Opera House, and moving on to new architecture that ranges from the spectacular to the thoughtful, including Perelman Theatre, New York and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, India.
The session will be chaired by Joshua Dachs, (Principal-in-Charge, Fisher Dachs Associates, USA), and will include a panel discussion, where Helen will be joined by Mark Ager (Marketing Director, XM Automation), Sébastien Jouan (Design-led Acoustician, Paris), Jon Morgan (Director, Theatres Trust), Lucy Osborne (Stage Designer and Theatre Consultant) and Claire Walker (Joint CEO of SOLT & UK Theatre).
Helen is a Director of Burrell Foley Fischer. Her expertise includes delivering the highest quality projects for the arts sector and the creative refurbishment of existing buildings. She has a passion for the detailed making of buildings, particularly in sensitive historic contexts. Helen enjoys the preliminary analysis of existing buildings and the creation of concept designs for in-situ clients and then working with a redevelopment team to bring projects through the construction process to a successful completion. A philosophy runs throughout Helen’s projects, finding the best ways to unlock the potential of existing buildings; finding new and sustainable ways for them to continue to make a positive contribution to owners, users and wider communities.
Helen was the Director responsible for the delivery of BFF’s £17m refurbishment and remodelling of the 1350 seat Grade II* Listed Hall for Cornwall in Truro. The project has increased audience capacity but with a more intimate atmosphere and excellent sightlines. Heritage elements are conserved and brought into full use. Improved front-of-house, with new bar areas on both sides, and back-of-house facilities are provided, with universal access throughout. The ‘Husa’ creative hub spaces provide support to creative businesses looking to the future.
Helen is currently working with Worcester City Council on designs for an attractive new arts venue, that will become a popular hub for culture, live entertainment and the arts community and contribute to the regeneration of the Northern sector of the city. It is proposed to be created within the existing Grade II Listed Corn Exchange and the historic Scala Theatre, Worcester's original 1920s cinema, returning the latter to its original purpose as one of the city’s main entertainment destinations.
The ITEAC conference will be held on 19th and 20th September, in person at the IET, Savoy Place in London and simulcast across the world for virtual participants. The Whats new in Architecture? session is to held on the afternoon of the second day. Full details of the conference and details of how to book tickets can be found here.