ï~~NOVARS RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF
MANCHESTER, UK. STUDIO REPORT
Ricardo Climent
Novars Research Centre
School of Arts Histories and
Cultures
University of Manchester, UK
[email protected]
c.uk
David Berezan
Novars Research Centre
University of Manchester
Bridgeford Street
M13 9PL, Manchester, UK
[email protected].
uk
Andrew Davison
Novars Research Centre
University of Manchester
Bridgeford Street
M13 9PL, Manchester, UK
andrew.davison@manchester.
ac.uk
ABSTRACT
NOVARS is a new Research Centre started in March
2007 with specialisms in areas of Electroacoustic
Composition, Performance and Sound-Art. The Centre
is capitalising on the success of Music at the University
of Manchester with the expansion of its existing
research programme in Electroacoustic Composition
with a new Â~2.2 million investment in a cutting-edge
new studios infrastructure. This studio report covers key
aspects of architectural and acoustic design of the
Studios, functionality and existing technology.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Studios were constructed by Harry Fairclough
Construction Ltd, after a cutting-edge design by
Cruickshank and Seward architects and acoustic design
by ARUP consulting engineers. The sound system
design and installation was provided by DACS-AUDIO
and the project was managed by Stuart Lockwood,
Estates Capital Projects Group at the University of
Manchester and coordinated by David Berezan, Director
of the Electroacoustic Studios at the Martin Harris
Centre for Music and Drama and MANTIS.
The new Studios facilities were officially opened in
November 2007 and incorporate three large
postgraduate research studios (featuring 32-loudspeaker
monitoring for sound diffusion performance research
and multi-channel composition, 5.1-surround and 10 -channel composition environments), a fourth multifunction studio for undergraduate teaching and work, a
large 14-workstation computer cluster for teaching and
student compositional work, supporting technical
spaces, offices and computer/ network hubrooms.
2. BACKGROUND
NOVARS is named to reference and celebrate the
seminal work by Francis Dhomont (Novars). In his own
words 'a reversed version of Ars Nova' - New Art, New
Science. Staff and postgraduate student research areas
range from acousmatic composition to machine
musicianship, sound spatialisation, performance
practice, live interactive systems and cross-disciplinary
projects.
In education areas, NOVARS is supporting and
reinforcing an existing well-integrated music pathway at
the University of Manchester, both at Postgraduate and
Undergraduate levels, merging areas of electroacoustic
composition, instrumental composition and music
theatre; including experimental and contemporary
performance practice. An added value to the NOVARS
research focus is the strength of the School's
performance programme and the joint pathway between
Music and the RCNM (Royal Northern College of
Music). Accessibility to high-class performers in
residence makes the environment extremely appealing
for composers willing to experiment on extended
techniques, chamber groups or large scale instrumental
forces in combination with new music technologies.
3. STUDIO DETAILS
3.1. General Design Features
The massing of the elevational treatment of the building
is in direct response to Manchester City Planners desire
to improve the visual expression along Bridgeford
Street, where the studios were built. The variety of
contrasting materials that have been used separate the
different functional and circulation elements of the
building, and improve the visual form of the frontage.
Figure 1. Building hosting the NOVARS Research Centre
