GUIDE TO CHOOSING AUDITORIUM SEATS FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
■ Whether you’re an architect, venue manager or project manager, if you’re responsible for an auditorium project the importance of choosing the right type of auditorium seat cannot be under-estimated. This guide is designed to help anyone responsible for specifying or purchasing auditorium seating for an entertainment venue.
WHY AUDITORIUM SEAT CHOICE IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR VENUE ■ In any theatre or cinema, the audience will spend the majority of their time sitting down watching a show, performance or film. On average this could be for 2-3 hours so it’s essential that they can sit in comfort with a clear view of the stage or screen. If they aren’t comfortable, they will be distracted, and this can not only greatly reduce their enjoyment but give them a negative perception of the venue.
KEY ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AN AUDITORIUM SEAT When
specifying
seating
for
a
theatre, cinema or other building with an auditorium it’s important to consider a range of key factors and not just choose on looks alone as even the most stylish looking seat can actually feel uncomfortable to sit on. Choose the right seat and audiences will be happy to return to your venue time after time.
COMFORT ■ Whilst you may want to maximise capacity, the auditorium seats you choose need to provide ample space for each individual to be comfortable without feeling like they are squashed in between the person either side. A narrower seat may get you an extra person on each row but you don’t want this to be at the expense of audience comfort as this can ultimately reduce repeat business. ■ It’s wise to obtain a sample seat for trial before committing to purchase so you can ensure that it does live up to expectations. If possible, get it fitted in the theatre and watch a performance whilst sat in it – this really is the only way you can accurately judge whether it provides the comfort promised.
DURABILITY â– To withstand high frequency usage auditorium seats need to have good quality, supportive seat and back foams which will stand the test of time without sagging, and upholstery fabric needs to be suitable for use in a commercial setting. Seat frames need to be strong and sturdy with quality fixings so that elements such as the seat tipping mechanism will continue to function correctly over a long period of time.
AESTHETICS â– Ultimately what the seats look like will be a key factor in any purchase decision as you or your client will most likely have strong ideas of what style you are looking for and the type of image you want to project within the auditorium. The design and colour of the seats will ultimately set the tone in the venue and will have a big impact on the ambience created. â– There are a wide range of auditorium seats on the market from traditional styles which can help maintain the character in an old building, to modern designs often chosen for arts centres and newer buildings. From plush, deep red velvet to bright blue cloth, there is a very wide range of upholstery fabrics to choose from. â– Whilst many theatres still opt for traditional red velvet, many others are experimenting with different colours to help create a unique look in their venue.
EXPERIENCE OF SUPPLIER ■ If you want to ensure your new auditorium seats will give many years of service with minimal maintenance required, then it’s vital you source them from a reputable supplier. Going direct to the manufacturer who can offer a full service from design to installation is now the preferred choice for most architects and building contractors working on auditorium projects. ■ Do some research on any potential suppliers, look at what projects they’ve worked on before to see what experience they have in this field and talk to them to understand what type of service they offer and how they can work with you. Whilst architects may design a seating plan for you, if you’re a venue manager who’s managing the project yourself then your seating supplier can often handle this element for you. ■ Experienced suppliers will have a thorough understanding of fire and safety regulations and how these apply when designing a seating plan. Many suppliers will offer this service at no extra cost.
AFTER SALES SERVICE ■ With good quality auditorium seats installed by a professional there shouldn’t really be much requirement for any immediate after sales service but it’s good to have the peace of mind that if something were to go wrong your seating supplier would be on hand to help and advise.
OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN AN AUDITORIUM Sight lines In any auditorium a tiered floor is essential to providing optimum sight lines for the audience and if this isn’t something already in place, many seating suppliers can also design, manufacture and install one. If all the seats are on a flat floor, then there will be issues with sight lines and audiences may struggle to obtain an unobstructed view which again is detrimental to their enjoyment of a performance. Many auditoria may have a sloping floor, and this is often a suitable alternative to tiering.
Acoustics Another critical factor in a successfully functioning auditorium is the acoustics and if budget allows, consulting an acoustics specialist is a wise investment. Your seats will be used by thousands of people, potentially over a number of decades so it’s vital you consider each of the aforementioned points to ensure the chosen seats are fit for purpose and will stand the test of time. Auditorium seats are also an expensive purchase so you need to be confident that you are choosing the right seats for your venue. Good quality seats will last a very long time and therefore can offer much better value than low cost seats which may break after a few years and require repair or replacement.
About Evertaut Evertaut designs, manufactures and installs a range of auditorium seating which can be tailored to clients’ requirements. The company has worked with leading architects across the UK and helped plan the seating in numerous theatres from new build arts centres to traditional listed buildings.
Thank You For More Information Visit Our Website www.evertaut.co.uk