The Client

Azzurra is the latest venture into Italian seafood cuisine by restaurateur David Yeo, head of the Aqua Restaurant Group. Pioneering Yeo’s ‘boat-to-table’ ethos the Azzurra brand of bespoke upmarket restaurants reach far and wide from London, New York and Miami to Hong Kong and Dubai.

Multi-zoned system for Aqua Shard, Hutong and Aqua Nueva

Sound Division’s relationship with this prestige brand began in 2013 when we were appointed to design and install two multi-zoned audio systems on two high-level separate floors at their restaurants, Aqua Shard and Hutong in the newly-opened Shard by London Bridge. At 309.6 metres, currently the tallest building in the UK and fourth tallest in Europe.

Not long after the Shard install was completed, we were asked to upgrade the existing music system as part of interior refurbishments at Aqua Nueva, their celebrated Spanish tapas bar set high up in the rooftops of Regent Street.

Premier project teams

In 2023, we were pleased to be asked again to take on the design and install of a high-quality music system for Azzurra, the group’s new Sloane Street restaurant. We would be working in the “top flight”, alongside premier project teams Robert Angell Design (interior), Gardiner & Theobald Project Management, WFC main Contractors & Sandy Brown Associates Acousticians.

Project Brief

Full zoning, all level sound system

A key part of the sound system brief was complementing the restaurant interior décor and high level design. We were also to ensure the systems provided full zoning and flexible sonic capability to perform at all sound levels from background ambience to a foreground dynamic — which would cater for both DJs and live performances.

System Solution

Once again we turned to our winning formula of tried and tested products in specifying a combination of Martin Audio speakers, Powersoft amplification and BSS Soundweb sound processing.

Full case study to follow…