Siemens is helping the world-famous Hallé orchestra cut its costs by 35% through energy reduction. It has created an integrated digital set-up to make Hallé St Peter’s, the historic recording and rehearsal venue in Manchester, UK, more energy efficient.
 
The £4.3m three-storey extension, known as the Oglesby Centre, includes sensors that monitor and automatically adjust temperature, air quality and lighting to achieve optimal room conditions. This will lower energy consumption in every room in the building to reduce operating costs by up to 35% and lower CO₂ emissions from the building.
 
Meanwhile, the German company’s Green Leaf controls notify the room user of unnecessary energy consumption to encourage them to save energy.
 
The system’s ability to regulate temperature and humidity automatically has the added benefit of providing well-balanced acoustics for performers and the audience.
 
As part of the project, Siemens has installed its Cerberus Pro fire monitoring device and a CCTV security system. These are linked into Siemens’ Desigo digital building management system, an intuitive platform that can be used to keep the building and its users safe and secure.
 
The Desigo also future proofs the historic St Peter’s building by using open communication protocols that can connect to third party devices – not just Siemens products – and is IoT-ready so it can connect to new smart devices in the future.
 
“For more than 20 years, Siemens and the Hallé have worked closely together to find new and innovative ways of partnering on projects that present the links between engineering and music,” said Robin Phillips, Siemens Manchester site director. “With tens of thousands of people visiting the venue each year, the Hallé needed an intelligent system which responds to changes in the building in real time and is easy to control. The technology we have installed allows the building to talk, tell us how it feels, if it is under stress, what it is missing.”
 
It also functions discreetly behind the scenes, without compromising the performer or audience experience or the integrity of the design.
 
“It has been fantastic to be able to bring together our experts in our building technologies and smart infrastructure division to create a safe, comfortable and highly energy efficient building,” said Phillips.
 
John Summers, chief executive of the Hallé, added: “The sustainability and energy efficiency of this magnificent new facility was also at the heart of our design. Working with Siemens, we have been able to find state-of-the-art solutions which will support Hallé’s targets for energy efficiency, comfort, safety and security. By reducing the building’s energy use, we can play our part in meeting the challenge of climate change while reducing operating costs, so more resources can be dedicated to nurturing future generations of musical talent.”
 
Founded in 1858, the symphony orchestra is ranked among the UK’s top symphonic ensembles. It has used St Peter’s in the Ancoats district of the city as its principal rehearsal and recording venue for the orchestra, youth orchestra, choir and youth choirs since 2012.
 
The Grade II listed church has also become a popular leisure and business destination, hosting a wide range of events, from conferences and weddings to workshops and television appearances.
 
The Oglesby Centre will include a café and kitchen, large rehearsal space, education workshop facilities, individual practice spaces, and improved facilities for the Hallé’s musicians and choirs.