Light buildings for heavy loads

Today, closing for long periods of renovation or conversion work is an absolute no-go for theatres and opera houses. So, the alternatives are weighed up: gradual renovation over several summer breaks or moving into an alternative or specially built temporary venue. For those considering the latter option: The company Spantech has developed a lightweight hall construction which – with the corresponding additions – can also be used as a theatre.

Spantech is a leader in the field of mobile lightweight constructions made of aluminium, for short-term or longer-term use, which meet the specific demands of arts venues. The company ensures that two important aspects are covered: for one, compliance with local regulations for long-term venues, and secondly, an appealing aesthetic and scope for individual design, so that the substitute venue is widely perceived as a ‘real’ theatre. 

One important criterium is the size of the temporary construction. It must, of course, have enough space for all the areas and technical facilities that the regular venue contained. Spantech specialises in made-to-measure lightweight ranges, providing enough space for the stage, the audience seating, a screen, and full, professional stage technology. All the other requisite spaces, such as the foyer, ticket office, dressing rooms, canteens, sanitary installations, props rooms, costume stocks etc., can be added on. And special requirements can also be met, such as sound-absorbing exterior walls or partition walls, or high suspended loads for light and sound equipment. 

The temporary theatre in Annecy was the first of its kind built by Spantech. At 25 m wide, 35 m long and 12.5 m high, it housed a 25 m-long and 15 m-wide stage. The aluminium frame could carry 17 tonnes. The framework structure allowed the suspension of all the necessary light and sound equipment, as well as decors elements. The framework can carry several tonnes of trussing and motors. In Annecy, for example, H52 Prolyte trussing was used. At a length of 16 m with motors, this presented a load of 1.2 tonnes. Having withstood the elements at Annecy for two years, the temporary theatre was dismantled when the renovation of the Bonlieu theatre was complete and sold to Beauvais in 2014. 

One of Spantech’s most prominent partners is Cirque du Soleil, probably the world’s best-known circus troupe, which tours the globe with its spectacular shows. Engagements in big cities often come at very short notice, making it difficult to find a suitable venue. Spantech came up with the solution: the pop-up theatre. From 2012 to 2017, Cirque du Soleil’s five-part show series “Scalada” was performed in a pop-up theatre in Andorra for an entire month every summer.