With no intermediate members below the grid - it's completely clear to the venue floor - and capable of supporting 250 Kg vertical loads. It's believed to be the largest grid of this type to date in the UK.
Junction 2 is a brand new flexible 220 capacity arts, theatre and education space, with a new technology laboratory aimed at inspiring the next generation of artists, musicians and audiences.
Designed as both a receiving and producing house, it's the first purpose built theatre to open in Cambridge since the 1930s and is operated by Junction CDC. Robin Townley, development director of Junction 2 knew that full flying facilities would not be required for the type of productions they would be staging, so he sought a flexible and practical solution for rigging and working at heights.
Slingco was subsequently contacted being the first British-based company to design and manufacture tensioned wire grids, plus the CABLEnet product came recommended. Slingco's Nick Dykins managed the project, and worked closely with the Junction 2 design team and the project's theatre consultants Carr & Angier.
Above the CABLEnet, a network of interim building supports act as hangers for all the theatre's overhead lighting fixtures. The light beams have a completely clear path to the floor (through the grid) and data, power and other production services are delivered to boxes attached to each.
Flying can be achieved 'through' the grid via two bars on 350Kg hoists and four hemp line sets. Six parallel rolling beams running the length of the grid allow the suspension of load bearing structural elements utilizing a one tonne hoist. A point load of one tonne or a distributed load of six tonnes can be accommodated. Coupled with the grid resolution of 35mm between the tensioned steel cables, it's possible to fly anything anywhere in the space.
The grid was immediately tested as soon as the theatre opened, with 23 separate shows coming thorough in 27 days as part of the "East to East" festival, including five UK premiers and two world premiers - all without having to do an overnight call! Townley says: "That level of production turnaround was only possible with this grid - it's a cost effective way of working". It's also proving really useful for training less experienced staff in working at heights.
Slingco is also supplying "druggets" for the CABLEnet - a series of plastic rip-stop nylon strips that pull right across it, completely sealing the roof space for fit ups and technical change-overs.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
