The Glasshouse International Centre for Music turns 20

Foster + Partners and Arup Acoustics are appointed by Gateshead Council after an international selection process. The brief is to create a centre for musical performance and education, with acoustically excellent auditoria and unparalleled teaching facilities; a major public building that is fully inclusive and accessible for all; and a centrepiece for the regenerated Gateshead Quays area.

Gateshead Council recognises that input is needed from representatives of all the different user groups, as well as from key consultants such as acousticians and stage design specialists. The Northern Music Trust is already in place with representatives of the Northern Sinfonia, Folkworks and Northern Arts playing a key role in the development of the design.

The scope of the brief is refined and rigorously tested by developing different diagrammatic options for the arrangement of the building.

A basic organisational diagram emerges whereby the three acoustically separate volumes are arranged in parallel near the top of the bank, with foyers and a public concourse linking the halls facing the grand view of Newcastle. Taking advantage of the slope, the music school is tucked underneath the concourse.

The Make Music Centre is the foundation of the whole Centre, and it is the educational component of the brief that separates The Glasshouse from other centres which are only performance venues. The Make Music Centre is a resource for the entire north–east region and has 26 music practice rooms arranged along a snaking mall with views across the river and up to the concourse above.

The roof closely follows the envelopes of the three auditoria and encapsulates all the accommodation. The complex form of the roof – oversailing the three auditoria – is informed by a process of parametric modelling (which is still in its early stages). This enables the team to rapidly explore different configurations for the primary and secondary arch profiles, enabling them to assess the resulting three-dimensional form for both architectural and structural merit.

To ensure the world class acoustic performance of the auditoria, Bob Essert (then of Arup Acoustics) brings together the relevant classical precedents for form, function and materials to achieve excellence for natural acoustics.

Work begins on site in 2001 and continues for the next three years. The undulating roof of the building begins to take shape, harmonising with the arches of the Tyne Bridge and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge to create a family of curves.

Engineered by Buro Happold – and constructed by Waagner Biro – the roof is an entirely independent structure supported by four structural steel arches spanning 80 metres from north to south with a secondary structure of single radii steel members. The 720-ton steel grid-shell is covered with 3000 linen finish stainless steel and 280 glass cladding panels.

The building opens its doors on 17 December 2004.

Spencer de Grey, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, noted that Gateshead Council was an inspirational client: “Starting with the Angel of the North, followed by the new Millennium Bridge, then the Baltic Arts Centre, and finally The Sage, they have promoted a strong programme of urban regeneration through the arts.”

Cllr Mick Henry, then Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “The completion of this spectacular building is a major milestone in the area’s regeneration. The real beneficiaries of all this investment are the local communities as it brings far reaching cultural, economic and education benefits to Tyneside and the region as a whole.”

The building is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal party tours the new facility, enjoying performances by the Northern Sinfonia and local school children, before unveiling a commemorative plaque.

The 10^th RIBA Stirling Prize takes place at a televised award ceremony at the Royal Museum in Edinburgh. The building wins the RIBA Inclusive Design Award in association with the Centre for Accessible Environments and Allgood.

The Inclusive Design Award judges said: “This is a significant building on a sumptuous site. The Sage Gateshead is a highly successful expression of the inclusive design objective, which is to create environments which offer choice and equality of experience for all users. The Sage Gateshead has made genuine advances in the understanding and delivery of accessibility for all and is an exciting winner of the RIBA Inclusive Design.”

Legendary trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, one of the most celebrated figures in jazz, graces the stage.

Over the years, the building has welcomed jazz greats such has Gregory Porter, Snarky Puppy, Ruby Turner, and EST, making it a home for world-class jazz through a rolling programme and the Gateshead International Jazz Festival.

Electronic music pioneers Orbital transform the concourse into an electrifying dance floor, blending euphoric beats with the spectacular backdrop of the Tyne.

Queen Elizabeth II formally grants the title ‘Royal’ to Northern Sinfonia, recognising the orchestra’s outstanding contributions to music. The orchestra was founded in 1958 and is based within the building.

The 10-year anniversary is celebrated with a six-day party, full of musical and visual spectacles, concerts and events, which include turning the building into a giant musical instrument.

In the first ten years of its life, the building hosted 4,000 performances and welcomed 6 million visitors, and more than 1.5 million people took part in its learning and participation programmes – it also contributed more than £200 million to the local economy and created over 400 new jobs.

Opera North delivers a breathtaking performance of Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle, treating audiences to over 13 hours of powerful music and storytelling.

Lars Vogt leads the Royal Northern Sinfonia in an unforgettable Beethoven cycle, performing all five piano concertos and the Triple Concerto. His joyful pop-up performance on the concourse adds a special community touch.

The centre wins two Gold North East England Tourism Awards: Accessible and Inclusive Tourism and Business Events Venue of the Year, showcasing its dedication to accessibility and world-class events.

The BBC Proms makes its debut with Folk Connections, featuring the Royal Northern Sinfonia under Dinis Sousa, Principal Conductor.

The Proms returned in 2023 and 2024, hosting a weekend-long festival and collaborations with Self Esteem and Jordan Rakei

An Open House weekend is held to celebrate the building’s new name – and a new year of great live music for all.

The centre’s new identity was created with Manchester-based design team Music. Their process kicked off with conversations with people from across the North East. This new identity reflects the vibrancy and energy of the music making that happens within The Glasshouse’s walls and in its activity throughout the region.

Two decades on, it would take 14 million minutes to experience all the performances that have happened at The Glasshouse. Young people and adults have joined a music class 2.7 million times. The centre has supported the development of thousands of artists and its resident orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, has toured the region and the world.

Abigail Pogson, Managing Director, said: “20 years ago, The Glasshouse opened its doors to the region and to the world. Its purpose was to be a home for artistic achievement, education, and community access – under one roof and in communities. To this day it’s an inspiring and hopeful vision for what a music venue can be that’s recognised across the globe.  In our third decade, we’re set to renew this founding purpose with the ambition and determination it – and the communities around it – deserve.”