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 January
2008
Hodgson
& Hodgson Complements Victorian Splendour with 21st Century Acoustics
The
Hodgson & Hodgson Group has installed a state-of-the-art acoustic
canopy as part of a £4 million restoration of Leeds Town Hall. The
150 year old Grade I listed building already hosts more than 2000 separate
events each year and includes the impressive Victoria Hall, a major conference
and music venue. Each year, the hall also plays host to the Leeds International
Concert Season but, with the restoration, it was decided to extend its
use to a greater variety of musical events.
Hodgson
& Hodgson's acoustic canopy was specifically designed to fit the space
above Victoria Hall's stage and orchestral pit. The design team based
the canopy around sub-frame support rigging, similar to that used for
many pop concerts. Suspended by four cables and fixed to a reeling drum
in the attic space of the building, the canopy supports 12 three-dimensional
acoustic "sails" incorporating telescopic arms. Each sail has
been constructed using 18mm birch plywood, with a clear matt lacquered
finish to match the colour of the existing floor in the Victoria Hall.
The sails have been set at different angles ranging from nine to 90º
and oriented to optimise the acoustic effect. The canopy can be easily
lowered for essential maintenance and repair work.
The
whole of the Town Hall building has been restored to its original Victorian
splendour and extreme care was needed during installation of the acoustic
canopy to ensure that the ornate decorative features of the hall were
protected from damage. The installation was successfully completed and
Victoria Hall is now able to host a more diverse range of musical, individual
and corporate events. Leeds city council feels that the canopy was a wise
investment and that extending the versatility of Victoria Hall as an event
venue was definitely something its members wanted to achieve as part of
the restoration work.
"Acoustic
sails are particularly good at reflecting and directing sound to meet
the particular needs of musicians and conductors so they were ideal for
Victoria Hall" comments Glynne Balshaw-Jones, Managing Director of
Hodgson & Hodgson, "Orchestras have different requirements to
brass bands who, in turn, want different acoustics to pantomime productions.
Our design expertise meant we were able to produce a bespoke solution
for this unique building, something in keeping with the interior of the
hall but which would provide 21st Century acoustic performance".
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