Classical design

King's Place is an interesting experiment. It's interesting to look at and experimental because it attempts to wrap creativity in a commercial skin. The new concert hall, which opened last month with 100 classical concerts in five days, was designed by Jeremy Dixon and Ed Jones, of National Portrait Gallery fame and is the capital's first for 25 years.

The building's triple-layered, mercantile glass frontage suits its dual-purpose perfectly. As well as two main music halls—with seating for 640—and two art galleries, the building contains office space for 3,000 workers and room for corporate events. The venue will be home to London Sinfonietta, and the Orchestra of The Age of Enlightenment. Both will now perform and rehearse here. The two galleries, Pangolin London and Kings Place Gallery will house modern and contemporary sculpture and touring exhibitions from "national and international artists".