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Slingco CableNet at Perth Concert Hall
Slingco has installed two CableNet tensioned wire grids into the new 1200 seater Perth Concert Hall in Scotland – the only new-build full scale concert hall to be constructed in Scotland since 1990. The £17 million project is the result of an international architectural competition chaired by Eva Jiricna and won by BDP’s Glasgow office in 1998.
The venue is located in the historic Horsecross area of the city which has seen significant urban regeneration. It features a distinctive curved plan format, ensuring that the building itself makes a strong statement of expression whilst simultaneously integrating sensitively into its surrounding townscape.
The main Gannochy Auditorium is a flexible concert hall space, and it’s here that the two tensioned wire grids are installed. The grids were originally specified by theatre consultants Carr & Angier as the safest way for technicians and maintenance staff to work flexibly at height in the roof space above the stage and auditorium.
Slingco’s Nick Dykins was contacted by BDP two years ago as the build entered its final phases, and asked to submit a tender for the grid installation.
Slingco conducted a site survey, drew up detailed plans and a quote - and won the contract. The installation was project managed for Slingco by Nick Dykins, the Rochdale-based company’s entertainment industry specialist.
One single CABLEnet covers the space directly above the stage, measuring 20 metres wide by 7 metres deep. The second one covers the orchestra pit and the auditorium area immediately in front of that, it consists of six separate but conjoined CableNets, measuring a total of 16 metres wide by 5 metres deep. The second CableNet is built approximately 3 metres higher into the roof void than the over-stage one which is 9.6 metres above the deck.
The system allows for the easy and safe rigging of sound, lighting and AV equipment above and below, including a series of semi-permanent overstage acoustic baffles. It provides a completely safe working environment for those in the roof.
The CableNet system is created by weaving and tensioning high tensile steel cable within a frame, which is then hoisted to the required level in the theatre or concert hall to create a safe 'virtual floor'. Lighting, audio, AV technicians and riggers can then work on this with complete confidence. Almost invisible from ground level, the system has the key benefit of casting no shadows from lighting rigs positioned above the grid.
Slingco was the first British-based company to design, manufacture and install a tensioned wire grid and is the UK market leader. They worked closely with Perth Concert Hall’s technical manager Patrick Dalgety, who says: “The CableNet is great, I wish we had more of it! It makes everything extremely easy, quick and safe to rig.”
Slingco’s Nick Dykins said: “Perth Concert Hall is stunning inside and out. Working with Carr & Angier and main build contractors Sir Robert McAlpine once again, and with BDP for the first time was a great experience.”
Perth Concert Hall is the fifth CableNet installation for Slingco in Scotland, following two in Glasgow, one in Stirling and one in Edinburgh. The sixth one will be in use in the near future at the Glasgow Concert Hall.
4th November 2005
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