The practice was selected from an undisclosed shortlist of rival bidders to win the contract to refurbish the academy’s museum, recital spaces and teaching rooms.
The appointment comes shortly after Wright & Wright completed a major refurb of Lambeth Palace and just nine months after the firm won a contest to upgrade the Grade I-listed Charterhouse.
Stephen Schwendel Smith, partner at Wright & Wright Architects, said: ‘We are deeply honoured to have been selected for this significant commission. The reimagining of York Gate and the David Josefowitz Recital Hall will catalyse a very significant shift in the life of Britain’s oldest and most historic conservatoire.
‘A key ambition of the project is to create museum and collections spaces that are both rigorously conserved and inherently flexible, able to support exhibitions, teaching, performance and a wide range of public events.
‘As the academy looks forward to a transformative phase of development, we are honoured to bring our skills and experience – developed through work with historic cultural and performance spaces including the Royal Opera House, the British Academy and Hull Truck Theatre – to this exceptional building and brief.’
The latest project follows a £30 million donation from philanthropist Aud Jebsen to the academy, which will be used to transform its facilities.
The phased three-year project will see a range of improvements to the academy’s Grade II-listed Regency-style home on Marylebone Road. As part of the investment 1-5 York Gate, a large Nash-terrace building, will be named Aud Jebsen House.
Key elements of the scheme will include reimagining the academy’s museum and collections featuring world-renowned Stradivari instruments.
Teaching, rehearsal and practice rooms will benefit from a ‘complete, top-level acoustic refit’. A recital hall, originally designed by John McAslan + Partners, will also be upgraded with a new acoustic treatment, interior design and audience facilities.
The latest project comes 15 years after John McAslan + Partners completed its £1.4 million extension and renovation of the academy.
Seperate plans for a new 2,000m² teaching and rehearsal space on London City Island in Docklands, designed by AOC Architecture, were announced this summer.