Robert Essert: Founder and Director

 

Robert Essert founded Sound Space Design in 2002 to deliver the very best acoustics in collaborative relationships with design teams in architecture and technology of the future.

Experience

Robert Essert has more than 20 years experience advising orchestra, opera, and theatre companies and educational institutions on dozens of completed arts and cultural buildings, from small gems to prestigious international concert halls and opera theatres, including:-

» Auditorium, concert hall, opera and theatre design;

» Music and speech performance acoustics;

» Spatial sound and virtual environments.

Passion

Robert Essert passionately pursues excellence in arts buildings - holistic excellence of acoustics, performance practicality and architectural integrity.

Expertise

» Auditorium acoustics - drama, opera, concert, dance

» Computer modelling of acoustics

» Perception-based measurements and design

» Quiet dimmers and HVAC systems

» New approaches to room acoustics design

» Perception of music

» 3D sound, multimedia and creative use of space to manipulate sound

Education and professional associations

» BSc., Engineering and Music, Yale University

» MSc., Mechanical Engineering (Acoustics), University of Texas, Austin

» Member of the Institute of Acoustics

» Member of Acoustical Society of America

» Member of the International Society for the Performing Arts

Experience

» 1997 - 2002 Associate Director of Arup Acoustics in London, leader of auditorium acoustics projects, technical development and marketing efforts for a period of 5 years.

» 1980 - 1996 Artec Consultants, New York, holding positions of Director of Acoustics Consulting and then Deputy Chairman.

» Principal Acoustician and/or Project Manager on many performing arts buildings in North America and around the world.

The Arup years

Prior to starting Sound Space Design, Essert was an Associate Director of Arup Acoustics in London, where he led auditorium acoustics projects, technical development and marketing efforts for a period of 5 years.  His acoustical designs include:-

» Sage Gateshead, UK; 1700 seat concert hall, 400 seat "3D recital hall" and new regional music school (2004);

» Renovation, restoration and addition to Frank Matcham's historic Hackney Empire Theatre, London (2003);

» Major renovations and redevelopment of Glasgow City Halls for residency by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (opens late 2005);

» The new Helix at Dublin City University, a flexible 1200 seat concert hall and two theatres (2002);

» 3D spatial audio system for the Virtual Reality Cave at the University College London (2000);

» Sonic Arts Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast (2004);

» New concert hall and Cultural Centre in Izmir, Turkey;

» A new 325 seat Hampstead Theatre, London (2004);

» Renovations and acoustical upgrading to the prestigious Almeida Theatre, London (2003);

» The 400 seat Theatre on the Lake, Keswick, UK (2001);

» The Crescent Theatre Birmingham, UK (2001);

» The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford, London, a conversion of existing grammar school into music and drama teaching and performance studios(2000).

In his senior review and advisory role, Robert Essert made significant contributions to other Arup Acoustics projects, including:-

» Auditorium design for Concertgebouw Bruges (2002);

» Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (2004);

» City Recital Hall, Sydney (2000);

» Federation Hall, Hobart (2000);

» Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (1999).
 

The Artec years

From 1980 to 1996, Essert worked with Russell Johnson and colleagues at Artec Consultants, New York, holding positions of Director of Acoustics Consulting and then Deputy Chairman.   Principal Acoustician and/or Project Manager for Artec on the following projects:-

» Culture and Congress Centre, Lucerne. World class concert hall plus two other facilities, design phase (1998); Jean Nouvel, architect.

» Chan Shun Concert Hall and studio theatre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, a groundbreaking synthesis of acoustical excellence and beauty of form (1997).

» The Esplanade, Singapore, Brief development and design phase 1800 seat concert hall plus 2000 seat lyric theatre (2002); DPA/ Michael Wilford, architects.

» CBSO Centre, New rehearsal facilities for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1998).

» Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, acoustical renovation. Strategic acoustical planning 1993-95, opened 2002.

» Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts (orig Ford Centre) in North York, Ontario, Canada: 1800 seat "Broadway"-style » Apotex theatre, 1000 seat Weston Concert Hall, 300 seat studio theatre, (1994).

» Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida, a 2200 seat concert hall / opera house (1992).

» Ballet Opera House Project, Toronto (design phase, 1988-90, not built), including in-depth work with the Canadian Opera and National Ballet of Canada.

» Stage Training Facility for the National Ballet School in Toronto (1987).

Essert has made contributions to design and technology on many projects over the years:- 

» Thunder Bay (Canada) Community Auditorium (1985).

» Symphony Hall & International Convention Centre, Birmingham, UK (1991).

» Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas (1989).

» Premiere Dance Theatre, Toronto (1983).

» Tampa Bay (Florida) Performing Arts Center (1987). 

» Cornell University Center for the Theatre Arts (1988).