Designed by Hopkins Architects and opened in October 2025, the Centre includes two distinct performance environments: the Sohmen Concert Hall, a refined space for orchestral and amplified music, and the Black Box Performance Lab, a flexible, technology-led environment for experimentation and spatial sound.
A shared approach to performance and longevity.
From early design stages through to commissioning, Creative Technology and d&b audiotechnik collaborated closely to ensure each system was engineered around real-world use, flexibility and future development. Alongside product performance, the project demanded a delivery partner capable of long-term support, in-depth technical understanding and proven experience in complex performance environments.
Creative Technology was selected for its established track record delivering d&b systems at scale, its experience with immersive audio technologies such as d&b Soundscape, and its ability to support the Centre beyond handover, through commissioning, training and ongoing system evolution. This aligned closely with d&b’s own commitment to long-term involvement with the facility, an important factor in a building designed to serve generations of artists and academics.
Controlled power in the Sohmen Concert Hall.
The Sohmen Concert Hall required a high-quality PA that could be deployed only when needed, remaining visually discreet within an architecturally sensitive space. Creative Technology integrated the Compact Cardioid Line Array (CCL) as a mobile solution, delivering controlled, high-impact reinforcement without imposing on the room’s natural acoustic character.
The compact form factor and cardioid behaviour of the CCL system allow for precise low-frequency control and reduced on-stage spill, supporting a wide range of performance types while preserving clarity and balance throughout the hall.
“The size was one of the main reasons for choosing CCL, but also the cardioid technology. The amount of sound produced by those small cabinets is quite amazing.”
Dicky Burgess, Senior Consultant, Charcoalblue
Immersive sound as a creative tool.
Featured in the Black Box Performance Lab, a fully immersive Soundscape system designed to support object-based audio and spatial composition. Multiple 360-degree loudspeaker rings and overhead coverage enable precise sound placement throughout the space, supporting both live performance and playback from the Centre’s Dolby Atmos-equipped studios.
The system is driven by Create.Control, the latest development within the d&b Soundscape ecosystem. Its intuitive visual interface expands creative and show-control possibilities, including full Z-axis control, a critical requirement for immersive and Atmos-based work.
“Create.Control is a significant step forward in the d&b ecosystem, making Soundscape more approachable.”
James Frost, Project Engineer, Creative Technology
Built to evolve.
The Schwarzman Centre is designed as a living resource, a place where technology, practice and creative ambition can continue to develop. Through a close working relationship between Creative Technology and d&b audiotechnik, Oxford University now has audio systems that are not only technically advanced, but adaptable, supportable and ready to evolve alongside future artistic exploration.
