One of the most exciting areas of the development is the new 300-seat auditorium, which has recently been completed and is now in use. Designed by MJS Architects with Arup Venue Consultancy and the Robin Haddow Partnership, the client's brief involved finding a way to optimize the room design, keeping mechanical and electrical services within the room to a minimum in order to limit noise disturbance, and to make the most of a tight space. Arup also consulted on audio-visual, production lighting and acoustics.
The projection screen and its masking was an important element of the project. Arup's lead consultant on the project, Sam Wise, explained; "Although the screen will be utilized on a regular basis, the client wanted to be able to conceal it when not in use, and wanted the screen or cloth which covered it to be flat, making it look like part of the wall."
Although a manufacturer had already been enlisted to provide a cloth cover for the screen, Arup soon discovered that it did not deliver a workable solution. So having previously worked with Triple E's Chaintrack, Wise contacted David Edelstein to discover whether Triple E could save the day.
Following a visit to the Society, Edelstein and Wise agreed that Chaintrack would provide the solution Arup required. Providing a 7m x 3.5m grey wool serge curtain from JC Joel, as well as installing elements of the other manufacturer's equipment, including a fixed projection screen and roll down masking legs, Wise claims it's down to Triple E's competence and expertise that the project was able to open on time with all elements installed. He said: "When we called upon Triple E at the eleventh hour, we really were working to a ridiculously short deadline, but David and his team were able to organize everything within days, providing us with the solution we'd originally hoped for and making the client very happy with the result."
Wise admits that the main reason for choosing to work with Triple E is the company's reputation for being trustworthy, easy to work with and Triple E's ability to get things done. Commenting on Arup's relationship with Triple E, Wise said: "Triple E has provided excellent service and support all the way. Its reputation is staked on the reality of delivering working and reliable results. Good projects are built on teamwork between designers and implementers and when the brains and attitudes of good people come together, the results are measurably better. This is what happened on this project. It makes my job worth doing when I work with a company like Triple E. Arup looks forward to working with David and his team again."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
