The Sage, Gateshead

Client: Foster & Partners
Flooring contractor: Watson Brook
Type of works: Junckers solid hardwood floors were specified for four separate halls.

Foster & Partners specified over 3,500m² of Junckers solid hardwood floors for four separate halls within the Sage building in Gateshead. Hailed as an important architectural accomplishment, this landmark structure dominates the Tyneside skyline and provides world-class music and entertainment facilities.

The Junckers floors are shown to their best advantage in Hall 1, the 1,700 seater auditorium specially designed to provide state-of-the-art acoustics. To achieve this, the Junckers 22mm Ash Classic floor is dished in two different directions, posing a significant challenge on which the architects, acoustic engineers, flooring contractors Watson Brook and Junckers' technical team collaborated with great success, earning critical acclaim for the excellence of the sound quality.

Hall 2, a second auditorium seating 400 people in the round, has a dramatic Black-oiled beech floor, which again plays a major role in the acoustic excellence. Two further Junckers floors have also been installed: Ash Classic in the building's Northern Rock rehearsal room, and Oak Classic in the Barbour entertainment room, one of many multi-purpose public spaces within this remarkable new complex.