Lee’s Landmarks – Royal Albert Hall
If you find that organising electrical jobs at your workplace can be hard work at times, imagine the challenges that those running major landmarks have to face. Here, we look at some of the awe-inspiring stats of some familiar landmarks.
Albert Hall
Opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 and named in memory of her husband, the Albert Hall is located in South Kensington, London.
Its vast roof is made of wrought iron and glass; during both world wars it was used by pilots to help them navigate across London. The sound quality was later improved by the addition of fibreglass acoustic diffusers known as “mushrooms” attached to the ceiling.
The hall hosts hundreds of concerts and gigs every year, from The Proms to Kylie Minogue, as well as ballet, opera, comedy, sporting events, award ceremonies and film premieres.
The historic Grade I listed building is currently undergoing extensive works, called The Great Excavation, to provide additional facilities for artists, crews and audiences.
Essential stats
• Capacity (seated): 5,272
• Height of dome: 41m
• Length of mosaic frieze around the building: 244m
• Number of organ pipes: 9,999
Electrical facts
• Date electric lights were fully installed by: 1888
• Recent lighting features include a fabric lightbox behind the box office
• In 2013, a small fire broke out in an electrical unit in the basement, causing the cancellation of that night’s sell-out show and the evacuation of 3,500 people
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