The Konserthuset comprises three separate halls, the largest of which seats 1770 people. In 1971 the venue was renovated by Tengbom's son Anders with a focus on improving its acoustics. Home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Concert Hall is the principal venue for orchestral music in Sweden as well as being perhaps most famous for hosting the annual Nobel Prize Ceremony.
The principle issue to be resolved in the Main Hall at the Konserthuset was the need to quite literally lower the temperature on the stage. The full orchestra onstage comprises almost 100 members and the discomfort of performing beneath the existing 68,000W of lights could no longer be tolerated. GDS in conjunction with Anderson & Co Sweden AB was asked to supply a solution that would take care of the problem as efficiently and quickly as possible.
GDS ArcSystem was utilised throughout the hall. Above the stage where previously hung some 160 lighting units generating the aforementioned heat and drawing 68,000W, Anderson and Co reduced the numbers to just 50 LED ArcSystem fixtures and a mere 7,500W. Above the audience, 32 new units were retrofitted into the existing fixtures in a swift and straightforward operation that required no modification to either the existing fabric of the building or the new units themselves.
Wirelessly controlled, using the ArcMesh protocol, the system has exceeded the terms of the brief with something to spare. The management at the hall are very happy with the outcome, acknowledging not only the huge reduction in the onstage temperature but also noting a distinct improvement in the evenness of the lighting. As a consequence of the temperature reduction, the demands on the air-conditioning system in the hall are in turn mitigated, so as well as the enhanced comfort of the orchestra, there is a further clear environmental dividend in terms of efficient and sustainable energy use.
Robert Vesterlund of Anderson & Co Sweden AB notes, "The GDS ArcSystem ticked every box for us. I spent quite some time investigating the possibilities in advance and settled upon ArcSystem because I believed it would meet the specific requirements of the job without complication and offer the best quality. The customer's reaction to the improvements confirmed that, in fitting ArcSystem, we had made the right choice."
GDS international sales manager EMEA, Andy Duffield adds, "Sometimes amongst the figures and the specifications it is easy to overlook the fact that the purpose of the technology is to enhance the conditions in which performer and audience alike engage with the arts.
"In the case of the Stockholm Concert Hall, here was another example of a magnificent historic building, hobbled by an outdated system, being transformed for the benefit of every user by the installation of ArcSystem. Of course the extremely positive environmental data cannot and should not be overlooked - it's quite dramatic - but ultimately, at the Konserthuset, perhaps the real story is about sitting comfortably and seeing clearly."
(Jim Evans)
