48 REP ORT: T RUSSING & RIGGING
CA PI TOL C E N T E R FO R THE A RTS COMPANY: GLP LOCATION: NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA
Port Lighting Systems, based in New Hampshire, recently completed the design and install for the new FOH lighting rig of the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Bank of New Hampshire Stage (BNH Stage). “The customer wanted a unique, one of a kind piece over the centre of the room,” recalled Vice President of Permanent Systems and Designer, Ron Kuszmar. “The BNH Stage needed a rig that could act as a design feature in its own right, rather than simply blending into the background.” The architect’s original design for the stage was a 20ft by 20ft box shape. Knowing the structure had to be unique, Ron and Senior Project Manager, Dan Bourgeois, created a design made almost entirely of curved truss sections resulting in a structure that evoked an organic and flowing feel. “The truss has affectionately been dubbed the ‘amoeba‘. The name seems to be sticking as people who walk in the room all seem to refer to it as that now,” Ron explained. It was always in the plans to light the piece
using the compact impression X4 atom fixtures from GLP, illuminating the inside of the truss to highlight the design of the structure. Explaining the choice of fixture Ron said: “We knew the X4’s small size and zoom were perfect for this project. We wanted to have the zoom to be able to breathe life into the truss by incorporating subtle changes that the audience would begin to notice over time and allow the truss to take on a life of its own.” The amoeba is internally lit using 12 of the versatile impression X4 atom fixtures. When Ron and Dan visited the GLP booth at the LDI 2018 show in Las Vegas, the lighting was not the only thing that caught their eye. “Seeing the DNA at LDI I knew we needed to change our plans. I sent photos to the customer from the show floor and they loved the look of the DNA truss.” The amoeba structure was redesigned with Ron and Dan opting to switch the entire project to Cosmic Truss, incorporating the F34DNA into the design. Being compatible with the standard F34 box truss,
this was an ideal choice and fit perfectly with the organic shape of the “Amoeba“ design. As for using the truss, the team had no issues putting it together. “Once we figured out where the different spacers went and at what angle the adaptors would go between the DNA and box sections it went pretty decent,” Dan said. “Loading the DNA truss was fine with a single source clamp, which was used for the impression X4 atom fixtures to light the structure internally. Mounting larger fixtures using two clamps was also easy enough as there are plenty of spacing options on the DNA.” Dan summed the project up, saying: “The DNA truss looks killer, especially when internally illuminated. We have received so many positive comments regarding the design. It is a fun product to design within a space like the one here at the BNH Stage.” www.glp.de