SCX Special Projects - Stadia & Entertainment

Stadia & Entertainment Engineering Innovation Contents Retractable seating for multi-use stadia

Hydraulic Stage Set Lifting Rigs

AELTC: Retractable Stadium Roofs at Wimbledon

Qatar FIFA FanZone: Retractable Fabric Roof

Tottenham Hotspur: Dividing Retractable Football Pitch

King Abdullah Sports City: Retractable Balustrade

Tottenham Hotspur: Retractable Grow Light System

Sage Gateshead: Bespoke Moving Structures

Ascot Racecourse: Retractable Turf Crossing

Royal Opera House: Stage Management Gantry

SCX Special Projects Bespoke Handling Solutions

Roman Ridge Road Sheffield S9 1GA

0114 262 6199 scx.co.uk

Retractable seating for multi-use stadia

Modern stadia need to make every square foot count – SCX’s moving structures help to create multi-use venues with flexible, lucrative spaces

Retractable seating for multi-use stadia The Challenge In response to the need for entertainment venues to increase occupancy rates and compete against alternative destinations, architects have invented increasingly innovative multi-use stadia.

Such multi-use spaces often require portions of a traditionally fixed building to move, or to facilitate a transformation from one venue layout to another. Moving structures on this scale – safely and under control – requires very specialist expertise.

The Solution SCX Special Projects has engineered and built some of the world’s iconic kinetic architecture. In 2019, it had two significant debuts in the kinetic architecture world: the dividing retractable pitch at Tottenham Hotspur’s new ground, and the No.1 Court concertina roof at Wimbledon.

However, it’s not just roofs and pitches that we can make move. We also help the architect create practical and valuable new spaces through retractable seating and terraces.

Retractable seating for multi-use stadia

Solving vehicular access • • •

The new Tottenham Hotspur stadium was designed from the outset to be multi-use, far beyond football NFL, rugby, music concerts, exhibitions and more will take place within this ground breaking stadium in London Our pivoting seating terrace ensures that large HGV trucks can access the pitch to deliver equipment

Fit-for-purpose engineering •

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Our engineers cover the full spectrum from mechanical and electrical design, through assembly and testing, to installation and final commissioning ‘Keeping it simple’ is a challenging yet rewarding endeavour: by reducing complexity, we can increase reliability and minimise maintenance Two hydraulic rams lift the xxx tonne block, which carries 80 seats

Iconic engineering that doesn’t skip the detail • • •

We engineered and installed the worldfirst dividing retractable football pitch at Spurs’ new stadium We also delivered the pitch surround that rises and falls to create Premier League or NFL configurations And we designed the tunnel ramps that move with the pitch, including the one with pivoting seating

Retractable seating for multi-use stadia

Creating concert capacity • • •

The retractable seating pivots along a giant rear hinge, creating valuable additional space for the stage set More space means more tickets for sale, highly lucrative when hosting big name concerts The stadium can accommodate 25,000 standing concert-goers when the seating is retracted

The power to pivot • • •

Hidden under the steel frame is the mechanism that controls the entire pivoting terrace Eighteen powerful 8-metre cylinders raise and lower the seating, fed by hydraulic power packs In total nearly 800 seats swing upwards to reveal the flat, practical concrete base beneath

Safety always in mind • • •

Massive moving structures always require an unwavering focus on safety An expert blend of mechanical engineering and electrical control ensures safety as well as ease of use In addition to the engineering, SCX Special Projects also provided assembly, test and installation services

Retractable seating for multi-use stadia

“Venue space is valuable, and architects try their best to maximise every square foot. We bring a whole new dimension to their work, taking them beyond static buildings and into moving structures.”

– Mike Challenger, Chief Engineer, SCX Special Projects

Even the smallest spaces matter • • •

Court 2 at Wimbledon has an entry tunnel along one side of the stadium A retractable terrace spanning the opening was conceived, for additional spectator capacity SCX Special Projects was invited to assess the concept and to provide the hydaulic pivoting solution

Bespoke stadia solutions • • •

We have engineered stadia solutions from small pivoting terraces to a 10,000-tonne retractable football pitch Each solution is designed to increase the utilisation of valuable venue space SCX Special Projects can deliver everything from initial concept, to full engineering drawings, to manufacture, to installation and final commissioning

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General arrangement of the access tunnel and pivoting seating terrace at Tottenham Hotspur. The solution adds over 1.7 metres of headroom to the north-east access tunnel, allowing large vehicles into the inner bowl.

All England Lawn Tennis Club Retractable Stadium Roofs at Wimbledon

SCX has designed, engineered and installed both retractable concertina roofs at Wimbledon – Centre Court in 2009, and No.1 Court in 2019

All England Lawn Tennis Club Retractable Stadium Roofs at Wimbledon The Challenge The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) required a solution to avoid rain stopping play at its prestigious world-class tennis tournament, The Championships at Wimbledon.

Suspended play is frustrating for many reasons: the players and crowd are forced to wait and hope for play to resume; sponsors and television viewers lose the impact of a flowing game; and the tournament schedule can be affected.

The Solution In 2006, a significant redevelopment of Centre Court presented the opportunity to tackle the ‘rain stops play’ problem. Then, 10 years on, the opportunity repeated itself with 2016’s redevelopment of the No.1 Court complex.

SCX Special Projects engineered, built, tested and installed the retractable concertina roofs over both stadiums. The roofs provide rain cover when needed, whilst retaining the traditional open-air feel of Wimbledon’s grass court matches.

All England Lawn Tennis Club Retractable Stadium Roofs at Wimbledon

Iconic engineering • •

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The retractable trusses – 10 on Centre Court, 11 on No.1 Court – have become an iconic sight at Wimbledon Each truss weighs more than 80 tonnes, and with its fabric cover, motors and controls, each roof weighs over 1,000 tonnes Electric motors and actuators move, deploy and retract the roof, controlled by a bespoke EC&I system

Performance and reliability • •

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Both roofs can be fully deployed or retracted in under 10 minutes Operation is via a custom SCADA desk, providing simple roof controls alongside detailed roof speed, position, angle and alarm information, plus temperature and wind speed SCX Special Projects has maintained the roofs and their systems since installation

Innovation throughout • • •

The roofs are world-renowned examples of our mechanical, electrical and controls innovation Both roofs also act as sun shades for the Royal Box and a lighting gantry for overcast and evening matches Engineering, build, test and installation were all delivered by SCX Special Projects

All England Lawn Tennis Club Retractable Stadium Roofs at Wimbledon

Build and test • •

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A trial ‘build and test’ programme was conducted in Sheffield for the original Centre Court roof A full-scale section of roof was constructed, with the same constraints as Centre Court, to prove the build plan, operation and maintenance Movements, deflections and waterproofing were all part of the thorough testing phase

A significant feat of engineering • • •

2,000 days of design, 6,500 days of installation, 25,000 individual parts, 25km of electrical cabling Fully deployed, the roofs are 75 metres wide, 90 metres long, and sit 17 metres above the grass court surface The Centre Court design was so fundamentally right, it is nearly mechanically identical to its newer counterpart on No.1 Court – the most significant changes are improved electrical controls

Power and control •

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Each truss sits on a ‘drive bogie’ with four driven wheels and two gearboxes, which can be positioned with millimetre precision along the rails Between each truss are 13-tonne ‘end arms’, driven by high-precision, high-capacity 35-tonne actuators The trusses are joined by restraint arms to tension the Gore-Tex fabric and give the roof extra rigidity once deployed

All England Lawn Tennis Club Retractable Stadium Roofs at Wimbledon

“We are delighted that the No.1 Court roof has been successfully used on several occasions, which has enabled us to complete matches that otherwise may have been suspended.” Richard Lewis, Chief Executive, AELTC

Whatever the weather •

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When it rains, the roof deploys and ‘batwings’ seal the gap between the stadium and the fabric roof for waterproofing and air conditioning In dull conditions, the deployed roof acts as a gantry for the flood lights In clear conditions, individual trusses can be deployed in ‘sunshade’ mode to shield the Royal Box from the sun

A place in history •

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The Centre Court roof was deployed for the first time in competitive play on 29 June 2009, during a match between previous champion Amélie Mauresmo and Dinara Safina The No.1 Court roof was deployed for the first time on 4 July 2019 during a match featuring Andy Murray and Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Tottenham Hotspur FC Dividing Retractable Football Pitch

SCX called on its decades of mechanical handling and electrical engineering expertise to create the world’s first dividing retractable pitch

Tottenham Hotspur FC Dividing Retractable Football Pitch The Challenge When Tottenham Hotspur FC embarked on its mission to replace the White Hart Lane Stadium, it aimed to create a “sport and leisure destination for London with a multi-use stadium capable of staging major sporting and non-sporting events.”

Making the stadium truly multi-use would require a feat of innovative engineering never seen before: a full-size Premier League pitch that would retract to reveal a synthetic NFL American football field beneath it.

The Solution SCX Special Projects engineered a world-first solution that splits the real grass Premier League pitch into three sections before rolling it away into a storage area beneath the South Stand.

The 10,000-tonne pitch takes just 25 minutes to retract.

In addition, the entire touchline, pitch surround and player tunnel ramps rise and fall through a height of 1.65m to meet the different levels of the grass and synthetic playing surfaces.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Dividing Retractable Football Pitch

World-first dividing retractable football pitch • • •

3 pitch-long trays weighing over 3,000 tonnes each, and more than 10,000 tonnes in total 204 electric motors, 32 hydraulic jacks and 1,388 custom steel wheels The east and west trays each translate sideways by 1.2 metres to clear the supporting columns under the South Stand

From concept to reality •

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SCX Special Projects called on its multi-disciplinary engineering expertise to take the world’s first dividing retractable pitch from concept to reality Prototyping and testing proved the solution on a small scale, before ramping up to full production Insight from our work in the demanding aerospace and nuclear sectors permeates our engineering solutions

Reliability, simplicity and safety •

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Design working life of 25 years, supported by calculations, documentation and comprehensive acceptance testing PLC-based, variable speed drive control systems ensure accuracy at the same time as ease of operation Safety ensured through mechanical and electrical design, alongside carefully planned operating procedures

Tottenham Hotspur FC Dividing Retractable Football Pitch

Extensive testing and prototyping • • •

A full-scale prototype of a retractable pitch tray was built at the Spurs training ground in Enfield Thorough testing included replicating the exact turf structure used in the stadium Spurs players used the retractable turf tray in training and proved it was indistinguishable from a traditional grass pitch

Innovative interfaces with stadium infrastructure • •

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Beneath the pitch, the trays connect to a network of irrigation, drainage, and heating systems SCX Special Projects designed and installed a section of retractable seating, to provide large vehicles with access to the pitch We engineered the integrated grow lights solution in conjunction with SGL (a separate study is available)

The pitch surround is a real technical achievement • • •

The pitch may be bigger and heavier, but the surround was a more technical challenge The entire pitch surround and flap structures must move in precise unison The solution called on our best mechanical, electrical, controls and safety engineering expertise

Tottenham Hotspur FC Dividing Retractable Football Pitch

“This is a genuine world-first engineering achievement, the biggest that we have undertaken, and the most challenging in terms of timeframes.” Danny Pickard, Projects Director, SCX Special Projects

Fit-for-purpose engineering decisions • • •

Hydraulic jacks were chosen for lateral translation and electric motors for longitudinal motion Hydraulic power was chosen for flap opening and pitch surround ascent and descent The full solution demonstrates our ability to pinpoint and deliver on key engineering objectives

Oustanding logistics and project management • • •

The pitch and surround were assembled and tested at our Sheffield and Doncaster facilities Over 200 evening deliveries were made into London using escorted HGVs and requiring temporary road closures SCX Special Projects delivered the ground-breaking project within budget and ahead of schedule

A legacy of benefits for Tottenham Hotspur • •

The vision of a multi-use stadium has been realised and will continue to deliver benefits for decades to come Investment into the pitch project represents a single-digit percentage of the total stadium build cost to help maximise ROI

Tottenham Hotspur FC Integrated Grow Lights System

Tottenham Hotspur FC Integrated Grow Lights System The Challenge SCX Special Projects is responsible for a second world-first at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium: a fully integrated grow lights transport system.

The challenge was to deliver the latest grow light technology from SGL, with full pitch coverage, but zero pitch contact. The system should deploy and stow the lights with minimal effort, and also allow groundskeepers to access the pitch whilst deployed.

The Solution Working with both SGL and Tottenham Hotspur, SCX Special Projects engineered and installed a revolutionary grow light transport system. It stores, moves and deploys six pitch-wide trusses from a small holding bay under the North Stand.

The trusses span the full 70-metre width of the pitch, and travel its full length on powered bogies that sit on rails hidden beneath the touchlines.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Integrated Grow Lights System

“This technology could be a trendsetter for pitch care in stadia across the world.” Darren Baldwin, Head of Playing Surfaces and Estates at Tottenham Hotspur

Zero contact, full coverage • •

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Primary objectives were to deliver full pitch coverage for the grow lights, with zero contact on the playing surface Each 70-metre long truss has deployable lighting arms, sits on hydraulic lifting rams and also carries the pitch watering system 6 trusses provide full coverage, then deploy into the stowage area beneath the North Stand

Hiding in plain sight •

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Beyond the challenging primary objectives, the entire system had to retract fully from sight, without interfering with the retractable pitch A system of rams and indexing conveyors collect and deploy the trusses to and from the North Stand stowage area The grow lights are hidden beneath a 150-tonne hydraulically powered flap, which makes up the north touchline

Engineered to deliver • •

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Once deployed, the trusses travel into position on battery power, then connect to the mains The trusses rise to a height of 2.5 metres above the pitch, allowing the grounds team unhindered access to the playing surface All delivered ahead of schedule, alongside our world-first retractable pitch (a separate study is available)

Ascot Racecourse Retractable Turf Crossing

SCX developed horseracing’s first retractable racecourse section – a 200-tonne moving tray for Ascot’s Kennel Avenue access road

Ascot Racecourse Retractable Turf Crossing The Challenge Access roads cutting across racecourses are commonplace, yet they are also hazardous to galloping horses and their riders. Ascot Racecourse previously used a range of infill materials, topped with fibre matting designed to simulate track conditions, to cover its access road surfaces.

However, the matting was a poor substitute for shock absorbent turf and provided the horses with limited protection during a race, causing them to break stride as they felt the change in terrain.

The Solution SCX Special Projects engineered and installed a retractable section of racecourse, running on steel rails embedded in the access road, and finished with a real turf surface. Over 200 tonnes, and measuring 54m long by 4.5m wide, it was the first moveable course section in horseracing.

Without the innovation of the retractable crossing, improving the quality and safety of access to the racecourse would have involved the costly construction of road bridges or underpasses.

Ascot Racecourse Retractable Turf Crossing

Engineering the perfect fit • • •

Hydraulic actuators raise and lower the turf tray, acting on the wheel axles to pivot them downwards and upwards 16 electric motors traverse the unit along steel rails embedded in the access road A wedge-shaped cross section, similar to the keystone on a bridge, ensures a tight fit – necessary to eliminate any changes in level that the horses’ hooves might otherwise catch on

The going is good •

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A special membrane developed in conjunction with the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) supports the upper portion of the turf tray This membrane, plus the turf layer on top, ensures that the tray’s steelwork sits well below where the horses’ galloping hooves can penetrate The layered turf is tough enough to withstand regular use, light enough to be moved into and out of position, and mimics track conditions perfectly

Disappearing from view • • •

The automated deployment sequence takes 15 minutes in total, and triggered using a radio controlled pendant Radio control gives the operator freedom to move around the tray and ensure a safe deployment When the access road needs to be opened, the tray retracts back into a dedicated parking bay

Hydraulic Stage Set Lifting Rigs

Hydraulic Stage Set Lifting Rigs The Challenge Our client provides stage set build solutions to entertainment venues and stadia around the world.

The main structure of the stage set is built by adding small sections one by one at each corner.

However, this process is complicated for a number of reasons. Each of the four corners of the set needs to be raised precisely at the same. And the stage sets are built in wide-ranging conditions, introducing variables like wind-loading, and always against tight completion deadlines.

The Solution SCX Special Projects designed, built and tested four hydraulic lifting rigs, complete with hydraulic power units and a bespoke control system. The design focuses on our client’s requirements for simplicity, reliability, repeatability, power efficiency and ease of testing.

Each lifting rig is rated for a SWL of 30 tonnes, giving a total system SWL of 120 tonnes. The four rigs can be controlled in precise unison with a master pendant, or individually as required.

Hydraulic Stage Set Lifting Rigs

“In a lifting world dominated by overhead cranes, hydraulics add something quite special to our handling solutions. In this application, where the lifting is done from the floor, it was the natural choice.”

- Danny Pickard, Projects Director, SCX Special Projects

Accurate and safe lifting • • •

The stage towers are built through repeated 1.25 metre lifts and held safely while the next truss is inserted The four lifting rigs communicate via Ethernet to ensure a precise, controlled and synchronised motion A hydraulic power unit and rams provide lift and drop, controlled by a bespoke EC&I system

Portable, repeatable stage builds • • •

The entire rig system is modular and designed to be easily transported to new venues, with minimal setup Controls are as simple as possible to minimise operator learning curves Maintainable items carefully designed for servicing and replacement, with a typical 6-month service cycle

An innovative, robust and powerefficient solution • •

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A blend of power-efficient hydraulic lifting, mechanical design, safety design and bespoke electrical control Design working life of 25 years, supported by calculations, documentation and comprehensive acceptance testing Engineering, build, test and installation all under one roof, reducing overall costs and speeding up delivery

Qatar World Cup Fan Zone Retractable Roof

Qatar World Cup Fan Zone Retractable Roof The Challenge Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy required a purpose-built structure that could bring the excitement of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to Doha and be adapted into a multi-functional event space after the event had concluded.

A key requirement was to deliver the feel of an open-air stadium while maintaining a comfortable environment, placing vital importance on a retractable roof to maintain immersion.

The Solution SCX Special Projects were tasked with developing the retractable roof for this 10,000-capacity structure in Qatar.

When fully deployed, the roof works in tandem with its ground-breaking cooling technology to withstand temperatures exceeding 45°C (113°F), keeping fans safe and comfortable as they enjoy the beautiful game on the country’s then-largest LED panoramic display.

Qatar World Cup Fan Zone Retractable Roof

Engineering that’s on the ball •

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Bespoke tracks support eight fabric roof sections, operated individually by our plug-and-play-type power and control system These ‘sails’ comprise of seven folds of fabric, which hang from 224 trolleys that are suspended from 32 continuous belts housed inside the tracks Each fold deploys one by one as the mechanism is operated, with the sails gliding across their working travel at speeds controlled by the operator

A team game • •

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The entire structure can be easily dismantled and erected by a team of non-qualified electricians Individually-numbered plugs and sockets with coding pins enable foolproof reassembly of all the cables and motors These design choices show how we simplify assembly and maintenance operations to meet each client’s individual needs and technical ability

Safe and resilient operation • • •

Rotary limit switches automatically stop the sails as they reach fully extended and retracted positions Emergency stop and safety reset mechanisms deliver robust fail-safes Filters compensating for inconsistent power supplies that can be found in Qatar demonstrate that both national and local standards are taken into account for every project we undertake

King Abdullah Sports City Retractable Balustrade

The King Abdullah Sports City stadium took two years to build and its first football game, the final of the King’s Cup, took place in May 2014

King Abdullah Sports City Retractable Balustrade The Challenge The King Abdullah Sports City stadium is a 60,000-seater football stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Pride of place is the King’s Box, featuring sliding glass doors that open to enable spectators and camera crews to see the King present the winners’ trophy.

A fixed, reinforced glass balustrade in front of the glass doors protects players from a 2-metre drop. However, a few months after the stadium’s opening, it was realised that the balustrade’s metal frame obstructed the King’s view of the game.

The Solution SCX Special Projects, renowned for its bespoke moving structures in the sporting world, was asked to engineer a solution to the design flaw in the balustrade.

Our engineering teams designed a retractable balustrade that integrates into the existing sliding door controls, raising and lowering in sync with the glass doors. The automated solution, with its toughened glass panels, now gives the King a clear view of the stunning Saudi stadium.

King Abdullah Sports City Retractable Balustrade

Meeting the King •

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Once the King’s Box glass doors open, the balustrade deploys automatically to protect players and journalists as they are greeted by the King The balustrade measures 6m x 2m and is made from stainless steel and toughened glass The bottom edge of the stainless steel frame extends 1.5m beyond the glass to conceal the guide tracks, keeping them safe and out of sight

Integrated, automated, safe • •

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SCX integrated the controls for the new balustrade into the existing electrical system for the sliding doors The automation sequence ensures safety at all times: the doors only open once the balustrade is fully raised; the balustrade only lowers once the doors are fully closed Limit switches trigger the start and end points of each motion and the whole sequence is operated by failsafe pushto-run buttons, with an emergency stop immediately alongside

Mechanical power and precision •

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The 400kg balustrade is driven by a single electrical motor, connected to a lay shaft that feeds two screw jacks, one either side of the balustrade The screw jacks raise and lower the balustrade along vertical tracks, with the mechanical design ensuring that the balustrade remains level throughout Raising and lowering the balustrade takes just 30 seconds

The Sage, Gateshead Bespoke Moving Structures

Hall One at The Sage, Gateshead, showing the moveable roof panels and light gantries that help to create the perfect performance.

The Sage, Gateshead Bespoke Moving Structures The Challenge Different acoustic characteristics are favoured by different musical styles. Opera singers and orchestras rely on the auditorium’s shape to amplify and disperse their performance. However, this would prove uncomfortable for the audience during a show using powered amplification.

The Sage needed a way to adjust the acoustic characteristics of each auditorium, transforming the physical space itself to suit the requirements of differing musical styles.

The Solution The answer to The Sage’s acoustic challenge was found in the use of moving roof panels, stage curtains and lighting equipment that transform the actual physical shape of the auditorium.

SCX Special Projects provided The Sage with a mechanical engineering package for all the theatre’s lifting equipment, lighting bars and stage risers, and mobilised the acoustic panels and curtains to create a transforming space to match the theatre’s range of performances.

The Sage, Gateshead Bespoke Moving Structures

Raising the roof •

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In Hall One, winching systems position each of six 14-tonne acoustic ceiling panels at precise heights between 10m and 21m to achieve the required acoustic effects Six lighting bars, installed between the panels can be lowered to stall level for the rigging and alteration of lights Three more hoists lower the loudspeaker arrays down through trapdoors in the acoustic panels

Setting the stage • •

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Eighteen chain hoists handle additional set equipment including curtains and projection screens Four high speed hoists, controlled from the stage flying console, are used to change backdrops during performances The stage is motorised to create a raked layout for theatre, various stepped arrangements for orchestras, and a completely flat floor when fully retracted

Sound engineering •

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In Hall Two, sound absorbing acoustic banners lower from the ceiling down to stalls level and into the space behind the balconies Hand-powered winches are used to lower lighting and speaker bars Acoustic drapes in Hall One can be remotely deployed by the conductor to cover up to 90% of the wall area, or retracted fully into storage pockets

Royal Opera House Stage Management Gantry

SCX’s gantry crane was installed in 2000 during a substantial restoration of the Royal Opera House’s 19th century auditorium

Royal Opera House Stage Management Gantry The Challenge As part of a £214 million, three-year restoration of the Royal Opera House in London, an overhead gantry was required to handle scenery, position lighting and provide access to the auditorium.

Prior to the refurbishment, stage scenery work was undertaken by a large group of people in cramped and cluttered conditions. A full rethink and redesign of the stage management system promised to improve safety, efficiency and flexibility.

The Solution SCX Special Projects designed, built and installed a bespoke stage management gantry, spanning the 28-metre auditorium and weighing 36 tonnes.

The gantry has some very innovative features, including: chain hoists beneath the bridge to lift heavy cloth backdrops and scenery; an articulated mobile access platform to reach all parts of the stage; and a large work area hidden within the bridge beams for the stage technicians.

Royal Opera House Stage Management Gantry

Access all areas •

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The stage gantry has a 20 tonne payload capacity, travels at speeds up to 18m/min, and can be controlled on board or remotely from the stage A mobile working platform travels along one side of the gantry, carries two people, extends 12m outwards, 5m upwards and 13m downwards Six 1t chain hoists mounted under the gantry work individually or in unison to lift and move heavy stage sets

Setting the scene •

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In addition to the design and build, SCX installed the double-girder gantry and rails during the Royal Opera House’s substantial renovations The crossmembers between the main bridges also act as joists for the stage technicians’ working platform The bespoke end carriages have selfcorrecting track alignment and multiple wheels to traverse a gap in the rails where an acoustic wall slides in

Hidden stars •

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The area between the gantry bridges provides a flexible working platform for the stage technicians, safely hidden from the audience Around 150m2 of floor space is available for up to 12 technicians, stage equipment, props and tools The mobile platform is accessed from this work area, via gates secured with automatic safety interlocks