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Brooklyn-based architectural practice SO – IL 's designs grace five continents; they have garnered a reputation for crafting exquisite arts spaces. They are joined by musician Ben Lovett, one of the founding members of folk rock outfit, Mumford & Sons. When he is not on stage, he puts his energy into reinvigorating tired music venues with his company TVG. Launching in 2016, TVG is now a leader in this field, helping to ensure the survival of spectacular independent venues which would otherwise be vulnerable to closure.

The opportunity to design a cultural space is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any architect. For every 100,000 homes, five museums and one concert hall are funded. In this episode of In the Studio, we get behind-the-scenes and under the floorboards with the SO|IL experts as they describe how their philosophy and processes enrich and shape their buildings.

Ben’s experience as a musician and performer, and now as a venue developer, provides him with a unique perspective on these types of spaces, understanding the needs of performers as well as those of the audience. He also grasps how these spaces can directly affect and inspire composers and other artists. The guests discuss what makes a successful performance space, and the importance of architecture in music's long-term development.

Presenter: Ben Lovett
Producer: Helen Lennard

(Image: Jing Liu, Ben Lovett and Florian Idenburg. Credit: Louise Orchard)