Judging the Relevance and worth of ideas part 2.pptx
Wexford Opera House
1. Presenter
Cian O’Donnchadha BEng CEng MIEI MIStructE
Arup Consulting Engineers
May 2009
Wexford Opera House
2. Presentation Overview
Background Information
Theatre Royal Wexford, Site Location, Client Brief, Planning Drawings, Project Team,
Programme
Architecture
Structural Development
Stability, Main Auditorium, Fly Tower, 2nd Space Theatre, Acoustics Consultant,
Theatre Consultant
Site Preparation Works
Demolition, Geotechnical Investigation, Archaeology
Construction Phasing & Progress
Wexford Opera House
Wexford Opera House
3. Theatre Royal
Wexford Festival Opera running since 1951
550 Seats
Stage only 5.0m wide
Opera House
Wexford No room for enlarging from within
10. Wexford Festival Opera
2001 - Arup Acoustic and Theatre Consultants, Carr &
Angier appointed to advise client and OPW in specialist
disciplines
2003 – OPW asked to evaluate proposal for extending the
old theatre
“The building project is the only option for the future
development of the opera festival, and the unique quality of
the festival requires expression in a building of unique
charm and identity” Jerome Hynes
Wexford Opera House
11. Client Brief
Fundamental to the aspirations of WFO was that the theatre
should provide high quality acoustic environments
to international standard, to support and enhance the
creation, production and performance of opera in the 21st
century. The emphasis for the room acoustic was that it
should support and help to showcase the young vocal talent
that has traditionally been a fundamental part of the
Festival, but that this should be balanced with a fine
orchestral sound
Wexford Opera House
16. Wexford Opera House - Project Team
Client: Building Services:
The Office of Public Works & The Office of Public Works
Wexford Festival Opera Quantity Surveyors:
Architect: Nolan Ryan Partnership
The Office of Public Works & Theatre Consultant:
Keith Williams & Associates Carr & Angier
Civil, Structural, Geotechnical & Main Contractor:
Acoustic Engineers: Cleary Doyle Contractors
Arup Consulting Engineers Steel Contractor:
AMSE
Wexford Opera House
18. Project Time Schedule
Planning Application Submitted July 2004
Planning Permission Granted Nov 2004
Government Funding Confirmed Sept 2005
Project Design Team Appointed Sept 2005
Demolition Jan 2006
Geotechnical Site Investigation March & June 2006
Tender Issue April 2006
Contract Award June 2006
Start on Site July 2006
Project Completion July 2008
33 Months from Design start, 24 Month Construction Schedule
Wexford Opera House
22. Fly Tower
Plant Room
Foyer Area & Main Auditorium
Entrance
Sound
Stage Area Rear Stage
Rooms
Service Yard
Toilets Orchestra
Storage
Pit
Sprinkler Tank
Wexford Opera House
23. Stage Iron Grid
Lighting Galleries
Fore - Stage Iron Grid
Auditorium seating Flying Galleries
Wexford Opera
Wexford Opera House House – Key Areas
24. Plant Room
Main Auditorium Second Space Theatre
18.0m Wide & Café / Bars
16.0m High
High Offices & Changing
Street Rooms
5.0m Wide
Storage
Wexford Opera House
25. Roof Plant
Offices
Cafe
Bar
High
Street
Foyer Area &
Entrance
5.0m Wide Second Space
Theatre
Toilets & Cloakroom 5.0m Change in
Level Across Site
Wexford Opera House
26. Second Stage
Level 0
Theatre
Sound Main Auditorium Orchestra Stage Area Rear Stage
Foyer & Room 18.0m Wide Pit
Entrance Area
16.0m High
Box Office & Offices
5.0m Wide
High Street
Wexford Opera House
30. Structural Concerns
Significant logistical difficulties of building a large
building in a very confined space with access by
streets that were only 5.0m wide between domestic
houses.
In choosing the principal material, for the structure the
criteria that were most significant were: dealing with
large spans, rapid erection and adaptability.
A particular issue was the treatment of balconies within
the Main Auditorium which were cantilevered.
Wexford Opera House
31. Structural Design
Integration of Services in Balconies
Tight construction programme – 1 year to build
superstructure.
The design of the main auditorium structure was kept
separate from the architecture and acoustical
enclosures. This allowed the design of these areas to
be refined while the steel frame was erected.
Wexford Opera House
47. Stage Area &
Fly Tower Design
Wexford Opera House
48. Flying Galleries
Iron Grid
Stage Area Rear Stage Fly Tower
Orchestra
Fly Tower
Pit
9000
Flying
Galleries
10000 Stage Area Rear Stage
Orchestra
Flying Galleries Pit
Stage Area & Flytower – Plan and Section
Wexford Opera House
49. Stage Rear Stage
Opening Opening
Elevation of Front of Stage Elevation of Rear of Stage Area
Steel Frame Elevation Either Face of Stage
Wexford Opera House
50. Iron Grid
Flying Galleries Flying Galleries
Section Through Fly Tower & Plan of Iron Grid
Wexford Opera House
56. Acoustic Detailing – Arup Acoustics
High quality acoustic environment to international standard
Room form and finishes developed to suit opera
Auditorium Hall lined in timber
The geometry was of the hall was designed to provide
balance of sound reflection from stage to auditorium, from
orchestra pit and for singer feedback
Seating to have low sound absorption
Air supply/extracts rates very low
Wexford Opera House
57. Acoustic Detailing
CONCRETE ENCASEMENT TO
STEEL COLUMNS AND BEAMS
Second Space Theatre Blockwork Around Main Auditorium
Acoustic Details
Wexford Opera House
58. Min 125mm Concrete for sound. Timber joists spanning onto
175mm R.C Slab on Comflor 51 acoustic bearing pads on 175mm
R.C Slab on Comflor 51
Second Space Theatre & Bar Areas Sound Proofing above Bar Floor Slab
Acoustic Details
Wexford Opera House
59. Acoustic Detailing
All Plant Suspended from Roof Concrete Surface
of Plant Room. No Vibration To all Walking areas
transfer to Auditorium below
Plant Room Above Main Auditorium Stage – Fly Gallery Platform
Acoustic Details
Wexford Opera House
61. Flying Bars @ 200mm c/cs Suspension Lines Supporting
carrying stage props the Flying Bars
Main Stage – Flying Bars Iron Grid Above Main Stage
Theatrical Details - Fly Tower
Wexford Opera House
62. Suspension lines Pullies and Counter
Connected to Roof weighs used to adjust
steel position of flying bars
Main Stage – Flying Bars System Main Stage – Flying Bar System
Theatrical Details - Fly Tower
Wexford Opera House
63. Follow Spot Room
Lighting Galleries
Control Rooms
Lighting Bar
Sound Control
Auditorium Sight Lines & Lighting Galleries
Wexford Opera House
68. Geotechnical Investigation
Desktop Study of previous investigation (restricted access).
Due to phasing and Archaeology, new geotechnical
investigation carried out in 2 phases.
Contamination Investigation on a 20.0x20.0m grid, March 06
Rotary coring to identify depth of bedrock and method by
which it could be removed.
Presence of Hydrocarbons – Diesel Storage Tank, from the
Wexford Printing Works which were located on the site
Wexford Opera House
69. Geotechnical Investigation
Stratum Depth Thickness
Made Ground 0m 0m to 3.0m
Siltstone 1.3 to 3.0m 3.9 to 4.9m
Sandstone 4.9m
Groundwater not observed in any borehole
Upper sandstones rippable, sustained breaking required for
orchestra pit (7.0m deep)
Contamination Investigation on a 10.0x10.0m grid, June 06.
Wexford Opera House