In traditional theatres, auxiliary support spaces (such as make-up rooms, rehearsal studios, set build, storage and offices) are positioned around a core space of auditoria. The Wyly architecture turns this accepted layout on its head by stacking the theatre vertically so that the back-of-house and front-of-house areas are situated above and below several stories of performance space.
An automated 'superfly tower' services the stage levels, enabling scenery and seating to be lifted or lowered from storage facilities. Serapid Rigid Chain telescopic actuators push or pull these systems, lifting and lowering them in and out of position. The systems are heavy-duty with one weighing in at 60,000 pounds and another at a massive 120,000 pounds. The 'superfly' tower is key to the rapid reconfiguration of performance areas. There are six pre-set arrangements that can be set up in less than a day: proscenium, thrust, traverse, arena, studio, and 'flat floor'. This flexibility, all facilitated by Serapid LinkLift Columns, will allow the Wyly to host a wide range of classical and experimental drama, dance and musical productions.
Rem Koolhaas, one of the theatre's award-winning designers, commented, "By stacking all facilities necessary for the functioning of a theatre in a single vertical volume, we create a situation where the technologies of the stage define an infinite variety of theatre arrangements, from the completely open to the completely enclosed."
In order to complete their winning team, Serapid asked Stage Technologies Las Vegas to join the project at an early stage, creating a bespoke system for controlling the modular seating lifts that transport the seating up and down the 'superfly' tower. The system uses 'smart' reversing starters to control a number of Serapid Lift Systems and turntables totaling 26 axes.
Safety needed to be of the highest priority and highly integrated throughout the building, requiring custom-written safety code from the Stage Technologies technicians. The Wyly installation is one of the first in the world to use 'failsafe wireless', which implements Siemens ProfiSAFE technology over a wireless connection to achieve emergency stop capability safely to Category 4 in accordance with EN 954-1, and SIL 3 in accordance with IEC 61508.
(Jim Evans)
