Sinfonia Smith Square
A world-class venue reimagined - where architecture amplifies music, history and community
Client: Sinfonia Board of Trustees
Listed Grade I
Status: Planning
Location: Westminster, London
We are upgrading and refurbishing the Grade I Listed Smith Square Hall and its associated facilities. Smith Square Hall, formerly St John’s Smith Square, is a unique Grade I Listed concert hall and events venue in the heart of Westminster and a masterpiece of English Baroque Architecture. Smith Square has been used as a concert hall since it was rebuilt after World War II in the1960s. In April 2021 Southbank Sinfonia merged with St Johns Smith Square to become one organisation under Sinfonia Smith Square. Together they share a combined vision and mission to “transform lives through the universal power of music, to inspire young artists to engage with world class performers”.
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Originally known as St. John’s Smith Square, Smith Square Hall was designed by architect Thomas Archer and constructed between 1714 and 1728. The building has suffered multiple instances of damage by fire. In 1742 (the year before Archer’s death) a major fire destroyed the interior building and all the woodwork including the roof were burnt.
In 1914 the church was bombed by the Suffragettes. In 1941 the Hall was gutted from WWII incendiary bombs. Three of the four towers were heavily damaged. The church remained in ruins for over twenty years (received its Grade I listed status in 1958) until it was deconsecrated in 1964, allowing for its conversion into a concert hall. From 1965 to 1969, Marshall Sisson, and later Peter Foster (after Sisson’s death), spearheaded the restoration efforts to return the building as closely as possible to Thomas Archer’s original 1728 design.
The project aims for the venue to be a beacon of excellence with music creativity at its core and to celebrate the architectural beauty of the building. The building must work hard to become a vibrant, flexible musical and multi-functional venue which is welcoming and inclusive; physically and culturally accessible to all, to deliver world-class music, cultural, educational and community experiences both within the building and beyond.
Project Team
Lead Consultant, Architect, Landscape: BFF Architects
Theatre & Acoustic Consultants: Charcoalblue
Civils & Structural Engineer: The Morton Partnership
MEP Engineer: Method Consulting
Project Manager: ORM Developments
Cost Consultant: Burke Hunter Adams
Heritage Consultant: BFF Specialist Conservation Architects
Access Consultant: Keith Garner
Fire Consultant: OFR
Principal Designer CDM & BSA: BFF Architects