With an
impressive list of recently completed installations, AVW
Controls’ specialist, reliable control systems have been
given the seal of approval for theatre, concert and
production the world over. In addition to AVW’s work on
home soil, the company’s project list reads likes a
round-the-world tour, from the Thessalonika Concert Hall in
Greece, Musiktheater in Amsterdam and Strovolos Theater in
Cyprus, to Kuwait University, the Kuala Lumpur Conference
Centre, and the Tokyo Motor Show.
AVW Controls is no stranger to working on prestigious
projects and being selected to provide and install equipment
for recent projects such as the refurbishments of the
Brighton Dome Theatre, Portobello Road’s Electric Cinema
and the world-famous Barbican Hall is testament to the
company’s commitment to deliver a first class service.
With current projects including Phantom of the Opera in
Madrid and the Monte Carlo Ballet, AVW has built a solid
reputation as a leader in the field of motion control
Dome Theatre, Brighton
Part of a £22m refurbishment, AVW played a central role in
the transforming of the Brighton Dome Theatre into a
much-improved venue for performers and audiences alike,
designing and installing all the understage controls to make
best use of available space.
With programmable controls, at its four various levels the
orchestra elevator gives access to understage storage,
creates a double-level orchestra pit, accommodates a bigger
audience and increases the size of the stage. And, unusually
for a specialist stage contractor, AVW was responsible for
all the electrical containment as well as electrical
installation and commissioning.
The choir riser also provides the facility to enlarge the
stage, when not in use to seat a 50-strong choir. And, a
custom designed chain hoist control system enabling
temporary seating wagons to be hung in two layers maximises
available storage space beneath the stage.
Electric Cinema, London
Another refurbishment project saw AVW working around the
limitations of the Grade II listed building that is
Portobello Road’s Electric Cinema.
Moving with the times, the cinema wanted to be able to show
widescreen films but was restricted by the limitations of
the existing structure. The solution was a motorised
screen-extending mechanism, controlled by an AVW system from
both the stage and the projection booth. And, with safety in
mind as always, as the screen moves forward whilst
simultaneously ‘growing’ by three feet on each side, the
system senses when objects obstruct the screen’s
extension, automatically halting any further movement.
Unusual Rigging contracted Total Fabrications who in turn
used AVW and was impressed with the result: Robin Elias of
Unusual commented “AVW produced a clever control system
that meets all requirements, safety and otherwise. The
system is excellent and I am thrilled to see how they have
been able to develop the initial idea, realising it to
provide the perfect solution.”
Barbican Concert Hall, London
Unusually for a project of this size, the timeframe of the
£6m refurbishment at the Barbican was tight. Allowing for
greater technical flexibility resulting in reduced
changeover times between events and a higher utilisation of
space, the renovations were completed late 2001.
AVW Controls took responsibiity for the installation of
specialist automated understage controls to render the stage
effortlessly multi-functional. To allow greater control over
the stage and to enable changes to its layout to be made
easily, AVW installed the controls for 10 programmable stage
elevators which raise and lower the concert hall stage from
flat to tiered.
All in all, the project was a great success - on time, on
budget and with no snag list!
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