This project provides the North East with a major new public performance space, and represents a major milestone in the region’s regeneration. The Sage Music Centre consists of two acoustically excellent performance halls and a separate rehearsal space, all covered by an innovative shell-like roof structure engineered by Buro Happold.

The design of the roof is based on a structural triple wave form in the long direction and a single closing arc form in the short direction. To ensure the acoustic isolation of each performance space, the structure gains no support from the halls. Four primary arches located in the intervening ‘slots’ are spanned by secondary arches and interlocking members to produce a complex three-dimensional shape.

Integrated within the roof are fully glazed east and west facade walls, with large glazed apertures providing spectacular views across the river to Newcastle. The remainder of the roof has a rain screen of interlocking stainless steel panels offset from a weather-tight membrane. Internal gutters are located within this void so that the facade is flush at the glazing interface, giving a smooth uninterrupted surface.