The British Academy, the UK’s national academy for humanities and social sciences, has renovated its historic headquarters in London to create versatile spaces for events, performances and meetings. Key to its transformation is Sennheiser audio technology.

The Academy has occupied Carlton House Terrace since 1998, expanding into number 11 in 2010. A renovation in 2011 connected the two buildings, paving the way for the latest refurbishment, which began in late 2021. The multi-phased project included reimagining the lower ground floor, as well as upgrading the ground and upper levels.

‘When I visited Sennheiser’s UK base to meet with Inesh [Patel, Business Development Manager, BizCom at Sennheiser], I saw how the TeamConnect Ceiling (TCC) microphones seamlessly covered large spaces,’ says Ross Watson, AV Manager at the British Academy, who played a crucial role in aligning the technical objectives with the historic nature of the building. ‘That’s exactly what I envisioned for the British Academy: a discreet system that would deliver high-quality audio while blending into the building’s historic interiors.’

Following this meeting, Patel, accompanied by Sennheiser colleague Joe A demonstration of the TeamConnect Ceiling 2 in the Music Room followed – a challenging acoustic environment originally designed for musical performances.

‘I had so much confidence in a successful outcome that I decided to use the Music Room to demonstrate the TCC 2,’ Patel says. ‘I figured, let’s test it in the most challenging space. When Ross reported back that the people on the other end of the Teams call could understand the conversation better than the people in the room, I knew we had closed the deal.’

The lower ground floor now offers three versatile event spaces: the Wohl Gallery, the Shape Room, and the Lecture Room. Previously a labyrinth of pre-war corridors and rooms, the new spaces are equipped with advanced A/V solutions, offering flexibility for performances, exhibitions, and conferences.

‘The idea started with blank white-box rooms that clients could customise as needed,’ Paul Marshall of Recursive, who spearheaded the AV design, explains. ‘However, we quickly realised the limitations of that approach—particularly the challenge of providing high-quality A/V set-ups without constant reliance on external equipment. That’s when we pivoted to designing three fully equipped, unique spaces that could adapt quickly to various needs.’

Recursive worked with Wright & Wright Architects on the project: ‘Their expertise in heritage buildings ensured that nothing looked out of place, even with the significant technical upgrades,’ Marshall says.

All three spaces feature Sennheiser’s TCC 2 microphone arrays, MobileConnect systems, and SpeechLine Digital Wireless microphones.: ‘We’d used Sennheiser’s TCC 2 in similar heritage buildings nearby and knew they’d provide the coverage we needed without compromising aesthetics,’ Marshall says. ‘The automatic adaptive beamforming technology with TruVoicelift functionality ensures clear audio for Q&A sessions or presentations without requiring visible microphones, which would disrupt the room’s design.’

MobileConnect, Sennheiser’s IP-based bi-directional communication solution, provides a practical alternative to induction loops, which were unsuitable due to the solid wooden floors. ‘MobileConnect provides a future-proof solution for hearing assistance and other uses, like streaming audio across the spaces. Everything is IP-based and connected via Dante, allowing us to route audio anywhere in the building with ease,’ Marshall notes. ‘These spaces were built to adapt quickly to diverse needs, ensuring intuitive technology without compromising the building’s heritage.’

Overslooking the these rooms is a mezzanine-level control room that uses Sennheiser Control Cockpit software to monitor and manage microphones and other systems. ‘From quad projection to Sennheiser’s TCC 2 microphones, every detail enhances the user experience, showcasing what modern technology can achieve in a heritage space,’ says Mike Breen, Head of Systems Integration division at Media Powerhouse.

‘The British Academy sits at the crossroads of corporate, educational, and event environments, which makes it quite special. Integrating advanced A/V solutions into these spaces while preserving their historical elegance was a key focus for us,’ says David Dempsey from CSL Integration.

The Reading Room, once the dining hall of four-time Prime Minister William Gladstone, now serves as a multi-purpose venue with sweeping views of The Mall and St James’s Park. Equipped with Sennheiser’s TCC 2 microphones, SpeechLine Digital Wireless systems, and Q-Sys systems, the room supports presentations lectures, and events.

The Library, another elegant space on the ground floor, has been equipped with a similar A/V set-up, ensuring accessibility and ease of use. Dempsey highlights the challenges of working in a Grade I listed building: ‘We couldn’t make alterations to walls or ceilings, so the in-house team lifted the flooring from above to install the cables without causing damage. Their expertise was invaluable in maintaining the building’s integrity.’

On the upper floors, meeting rooms such as the Helen Langan Room were fitted with Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling Medium (TCC M) microphones, Logitech Tap touchscreens, and SpeechLine Digital Wireless systems. These smaller boardroom-style spaces provide seamless audio and video conferencing capabilities for up to 12 people.

‘When CSL started out 20 years ago, systems like these didn’t exist,’ Dempsey says. ‘Video conferencing was a luxury then. Today, technology like Sennheiser’s automatic dynamic beamforming and TruVoicelift offer you speech intelligibility and maximum freedom of movement, especially in spaces with unique challenges like these.’

The successful refurbishment of the British Academy demonstrates how thoughtful A/V design can elevate historic spaces. From technologically advanced event spaces on the lower ground floor to seamlessly integrated meeting rooms on the upper levels, the project preserves the building’s heritage while enabling its modern functionality.

‘Working on a project of this scale and significance is a testament to what can be achieved when teams collaborate, combining technical expertise with respect for heritage,’ Patel says. ‘At Sennheiser, we’re proud to support iconic institutions like the British Academy, ensuring their historic spaces remain relevant and functional for future generations.’

‘This project was all about collaboration. From the architects who preserved the building’s heritage to the integrators who brought the technology to life, everyone worked together to create spaces that are both functional and beautiful,’ Marshall echoes.

‘The effort behind this transformation was monumental,’ Breen agrees. ‘From AV-over-IP to beamforming microphones the technology is cutting-edge, but it’s the collaboration between all stakeholders that made this project so successful. When you have a team that’s willing to share knowledge and solve challenges together, the results speak for themselves. The lower ground floor is now a modern masterpiece, ready to host anything from academic conferences to artistic showcases.’

‘The multifunctional nature of the British Academy makes these spaces truly special,’ Dempsey adds. ‘When visitors experience the A/V systems here, they’ll leave inspired – and likely questioning why their own facilities aren’t as innovative.’

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