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Theatreplan's Futuristic Theatre Plan is a Success at Fusionopolis
Perched between three office towers in a science park in Singapore, the Genexis multi-purpose theatre was always going to be a challenge. But London-based theatre consultants Theatreplan, in association with Arup Acoustics Australasia, made sure that the facilities lived up to the forward-looking expectations of Singapore's science, technology and research agency which surrounds it.
Spread over 30 hectares, Fusionopolis is Singapore's iconic centre for research into interactive media, physical sciences, engineering and technology. Theatreplan's project manager, John Whitaker, said: "We were presented with an empty shell of space with every surface curved, something like an egg in appearance, and accessible by escalators. The specification was for an experimental theatre with the versatility to be transformed into a whole range of stage and auditorium styles."
It is the first theatre to be built by developers JTC, Singapore's largest industrial landlord. They initially replied to the needs of their scientific and media tenants for a space to launch products and hold conferences with a plan for a simple auditorium, but decided to increase the budget to expand the project to create Genexis, a multi-purpose experimental theatre for both science and arts-based events. Local arts groups, who felt that an experimental theatre would add value to the local performing arts scene, welcomed this idea.
Theatreplan was deeply involved with the theatre's internal design from the start, and specified an ingenious seating arrangement, which provides 560 seats on retractable platforms that may be moved in any direction and rearranged to suit the performance, or stored at the back of the space for flat-floor events.
The curvature of the walls and roof posed unusual problems. "We had to devise novel header and tormentor designs to provide borders suited to the shape of the auditorium walls and roof, including a curved track for the rear curtain track," explained John Whitaker. "And owing to structural loading restrictions we were limited to 20 multiline motorised suspensions over the stage for lighting and scenery. To maximise their utilisation, they were mounted on rolling beams, which can be tracked up and down stage to their required positions. Above the auditorium, we specified a tensioned wire grid - the first to be installed in a theatre in Singapore." The wire grid stretches underneath the lighting positions in the roof and provides technicians with easy access to reposition and maintain any spotlight without the need to lower lighting bars or manoeuvre an access tower.
Theatreplan specified and designed the auditorium layout and sightlines, the motorised rigging system, flown proscenium and side masking panels and the theatre lighting installation.
Following a successful opening ceremony on October 17th in the presence of the Prime Minister of Singapore, the clients announced that they were very happy with the result. They are now discussing its use with several arts companies and are about to appoint a theatre manager.
5th December 2008
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