Race Furniture, market leaders in the design and manufacture of auditoria and theatre seating, was recently awarded the contract to develop, manufacture and install 172 high specification seats at BT's new corporate communications auditorium at the company's London headquarters.

Appointed by architects Aukett Europe and construction manager Interior Plc, the Gloucestershire based furniture designers and manufacturers was selected for its levels of craftsmanship and ability to develop seating that would complement the stylish radiused interior of the auditorium.

Aesthetically the design had to meet the architect's brief to create a hybrid between a furniture design classic and a high quality sports car seat. Race's solution was to use styling and materials communicating luxury via all five senses. The seats crafted for BT were finished in top grade leather with stainless steel panels - both materials unusual for this quantity and style of seating. The theme was carried through into the incorporation of electronic communication modules in the stainless steel panels.

Working in the curved interior offered other design challenges with every row presenting its own geography. A modular system to fit the curve had to be created with backs and seats tailored to fit the system. Standard tread fixing was rejected in favour of riser fixing, dovetailing with the overall sleekness in appearance of the auditorium.

Ian Logan, design director for the BT auditorium commenting on the success of the project said: "An impossibly tight programme made the involvement of Race, in the first week of the project, a key appointment. Their team embraced our design aspirations enthusiastically and the final product is a striking example of style and quality, meeting all of the practical requirements, as well as contributing significantly to the overall design feel. The auditorium seat is at the very heart of the scheme, in every sense. We are delighted to have worked with Race on this important project."