How do you make a venue really great, for visitors and performers alike? Sandbox FOMO5 1, from Ep.08

‘People don’t realise how much difference the space makes to what you are doing’, Alistair Barrie, stand-up comedian, performer and actor. So how can venues be built or retrofitted to become truly exceptional for the performer, as well as the audience? Find out in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5...  Creating a fantastic venue involves many factors, from efficient temperature control, external noise reductions to seamless visitor movement throughout. But how do we ensure venues offer the best experience for everyone?  In our latest ‘Sandbox’ podcast episode, ‘Echoes and flow: The science behind memorable venues’, our panel discussed this idea.  From an engineering perspective, discussing visitor experiences, Christine Lowry, Partner, Buro Happold, said: “I don't want them to notice what we've been up to. I don't want them to feel the ventilation systems, the heating, the cooling.  “If we get that bit right in the design and the construction or refurbishment of a venue, you really find that that user experience is second to none.”  Echoing Christine’s point, Becky Hayward, Associate Director, Buro Happold, said: “When we have worked at a venue, you shouldn’t really be able to tell that we have been there and intervened in some way. So, it should feel like a seamless experience.”  Adding an insight from the performer’s perspective, our special guest Alistair Barrie said: “As a performer, part of it is the joy of how well it goes, which is all to do with the people, but a lot of it is to do with what Christine said - people don't realise how much difference the space makes to what you are doing.”  Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, in this episode, are Buro Happold experts Christine Lowry, Partner, and Dr. Becky Hayward, Associate Director. Our special guest in this episode is Alistair Barrie, comedian and actor. Alistair performs at major events including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (where he has been nominated twice for best show), and Glastonbury. You can also find him regularly on the BBC, Times Radio and a wide range of podcasts.   Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.     This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).