Formerly known as The Sage, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a cultural icon with deep roots in the North East. We were commissioned to design, manufacture, and install a series of distinctive interior features that reflected the venue’s artistry and energy – combining creativity, technical skill, and craftsmanship to deliver truly inspiring results.
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
A bespoke, multi-phase interior fit-out for The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, harmonising complex curved Corian features, mobile bars, and striking box office installations into one seamless, precision-engineered performance space.
PlanningSetting the score
Our design team orchestrated every detail to bring The Glasshouse’s vision to life. The centrepiece, a sweeping curved Corian cafeteria counter with a matching steel gantry, demanded advanced modelling and meticulous coordination to achieve perfect symmetry. Each curve followed a compound radius, adding both technical complexity and visual sophistication.
Collaboration with architects and venue stakeholders was key, as we made sure that the design blended seamlessly with the building’s famously striking architecture and met functional demands for high-traffic public spaces. From concept sketches to detailed fabrication drawings, every line was composed with precision, balancing form, flow, and practicality.
ManufacturingPerfecting the performance
As always in our County Durham manufacturing centre, craftsmanship took centre stage. Skilled engineers fabricated each bespoke feature – from a traditional-style bar and two mobile bars with concealed castors to a robust box office desk complete with an overhead steel gantry.
Using premium materials such as ColourCode© solid grade laminate and stained ash slats, the team achieved a flawless blend of strength, elegance, and endurance.
Every surface was hand-finished and inspected to the highest standards. The result was a collection of functional, visually stunning features designed to withstand constant use while enhancing the ambience of this world-class performance venue.
InstallationConducting a flawless delivery
We managed all three project phases with precision, ensuring The Glasshouse’s operations continued uninterrupted. Each stage involved careful planning, clear communication, and efficient coordination between teams and suppliers. Despite unforeseen access delays, installation was completed ahead of schedule thanks to proactive problem-solving and streamlined logistics.
The bars, desks, and gantries were installed cleanly and securely, matching the original design intent to the millimetre. Our integrated approach, from design and manufacture through to on-site delivery, focused on consistency and accountability throughout. The result was a performance as seamless behind the scenes as it was on stage.
The result
Our team’s meticulous work transformed the public areas of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music into spaces that mirror the elegance and creativity of its performances. Each installation combined precision engineering with visual harmony, meeting every design goal ahead of schedule and exceeding expectations for quality, durability, and visual impact.
Why Ambic?
Simply put, our team was uniquely positioned to complete every stage of the project entirely in-house – from concept design through fabrication to final installation. Our seamless, end-to-end service delivered consistent quality, efficiency, and confidence, ensuring The Glasshouse’s vision became reality without compromise.