Successful performing arts buildings work well for owners, managers, performers, technicians and audiences. To achieve this, Arup offers a truly integrated service.
A core specialist team of theatre planners, designers and technical systems designers work alongside other specialists, such as acousticians and architectural lighting designers.
Arup's theatre consultants undertake projects of all types and sizes, from large opera houses to intimate drama theatres, from symphonic concert halls to rock music venues. They advise from the project's conception to its creation, from building design to commissioning and from opening night to ongoing operations.
The firm's specialists remain connected with the industry as practitioners. Ongoing professional experience in roles ranging from stage director to performer gives them detailed first-hand knowledge of theatre design and operation. Working from offices in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US and the UK, they support clients around the world.
Innovation
Arup supports design teams to ensure that theatre buildings meet the needs of clients, artists, audiences and staff.
Using cutting edge virtual reality techniques, the firm develops designs that fulfil the aspirations of the whole audience and creative team. Arup SoundLabs® allow the client and the design team to hear and optimise the natural sound quality at every seat of concert halls before they are built.
Real-time lighting visualisation allows design teams to experience sight lines and better integrate theatre systems within the architecture of theatres and concert halls. Inhouse engineering skills enable Arup to design new staging systems from first principles.
These tools of collaboration help Arup to listen, illustrate and create, alongside arts clients and design partners.
Ongoing operation
Arup's theatre consultants also work with owners and managers to ensure the smooth ongoing operation of the theatre, from maintenance and renovations to energy audits and venue logistics.
Improving methods for loading scenery into the theatre and circulating materials, costumes and equipment around the facility is a vital part of the theatre consulting process. Arup's experts feed their ongoing experience in operational logistics back into the design process.
With this knowledge and experience, Arup helps theatres to keep pace with the changing demands of the industry. At Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin, Arup designed theatre systems to meet the needs of new audiences and to satisfy the demands for broadcasting live events.
The firm is at the forefront of sustainable theatre design and operation. It is delivery partner for the Arcola Theatre in London, which aims to be the UK's first carbon neutral theatre.
Performing arts centres have to balance increasingly diverse demands on their space. Arup helps to incorporate a versatile range of equipment into buildings, whilst maintaining their flexibility. At the Melbourne Recital Centre, the firm designed systems ranging from hoists to motorised acoustic drapes that disappear when not needed, so that the hall turns back into a clean architectural space.
Arup's theatre consulting team considers artistic, operational and commercial success, and collaborates to design better venues for the future of the arts.