The widget - a neat and effective protector for use on tension wire grids - came about as a result of a major project to supply over 1750sq.m of tension wire grids to Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. Due to open in January next year, the Centre will provide Stockholm with a congress hall with seating for up to 3000 for both local and international events, as well as offices and a 418 room hotel. The hall will be used for a wide range of events, including exhibitions and conferences as well as concerts, and the grid contributes to the flexibility of design. Comprising 173 individual frames with a load bearing of 250kg per sq m, the grid is installed across six levels and covers the entire auditorium.
At the same time as supporting the Swedish project, Unusual has also been working on two projects in Dublin, one of which is the recently opened Grand Canal Theatre, the 2,111 capacity, purpose built theatre designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. Here, Unusual designed, manufactured and installed the theatre rigging, including the counterweight system, motorised flying and chain hoist system, as well as other technical solutions, such as two orchestra pit lifts, using six Gala Spiralift units, plus removable pit rails complete with storage units for when the rails are not in use.
(Jim Evans)
