Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell London, Docklands Building, English Design
Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell
Organic Structure London Docklands: Event, England, UK – design by BFLS and Arup Acoustics
14 Aug 2016
Soundforms Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell is an International Architecture Awards Winner in 2016
International Architecture Awards 2016
7 Mar 2012
Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell London
Soundforms
Design: BFLS / Arup Acoustics
The world’s first ever mobile acoustic performance shell was unveiled last night. Soundforms was tested on Tuesday 6th March in London Docklands by a stellar cast of musicians.
The BFLS and Arup Acoustics designed structure was tested by top musicians, who delivered stunning performances. These revolutionary shells bring indoor quality and acoustics to the outdoor stage so that top performers can play in a sound enclosure worthy of their talent.
Soundforms – Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell:
photograph © Nick Guttridge
Sound Forms Plc is the new British company behind the consortium that has designed and built these extraordinary mobile shells which are set to revolutionise open-air concerts. The prototype shell was unveiled and tested at the private concert last night, at ES Global, opposite the O2 arena.
Conductor and producer Mark Stephenson conceived the idea and in 2009 formed the company in conjunction with Jason Flanagan and Paul Bavister of BFLS, Ian Knowles of Arup Acoustic and Olly Watts of ES Global.
Virtuoso violinist, Charlie Siem, said of his experience “I didn’t know what to expect, it looks amazing but whether you can actually create a convincing concert hall sound on the stage for a musician, I wasn’t sure, but it really did! I could hear every nuance of the playing and it had a very flattering sound which felt like it was projecting. It was a revelation.”
At the launch event, young virtuoso violinists Charlie Siem and Nicola Benedetti, accompanied by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, demonstrated the shell’s exceptional natural on-stage acoustics and sound projection, together with short performances by ECM artist and BBC jazz “legend” saxophonist Iain Bellamy; and classical pianist phenomenon Grace Francis; segued with sonic intermissions and bridges by DJ’s Gabriel Prokofiev and Jem Panufnik.
The design team’s challenge was to design and build an outdoor portable sound stage for the global market that would create a visual spectacle, vastly improve broadcast quality and provide an acoustic environment that would enable performers to hear their own music properly.
The world-class consortium includes Total Solutions Group that has built George Michael’s staging, leading engineers Arup Acoustics and Fineline, and Architen Landrell/Tensys who have worked on the NASA space programme. ES Global who builds touring stages for The Rolling Stones and Elton John, is the assembly and delivery partner.
Soundforms – Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell:
photograph © Nick Guttridge
Partners
BFLS designed the recently opened Performing Arts Centre at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
ES Global built the Chanel & Luis Vuitton Pavilions and touring stages for The Rolling Stones & Elton John and is the Soundforms assembly and delivery partner.
BFLS Team
Jason Flanagan, Paul Bavister, Armando Elias, Matt Donkersley, Andrea Vannini
Associates
Arup Acoustics the world-renowned concert hall acousticians
IMGA the leading international artist agency in the music industry
Manufacturers/Suppliers
Total Solutions Group (Birmingham) built George Michael’s stage for his “Symphonica” Tour and for the recent Take That Tour and building the structure.
Architen Landrell (Chepstow) & Tensys worked on “The Quiet Theatre” for Garsington Opera and with the NASA space programme respectively. And have designed and engineered the inflatable skin. Fineline (Bristol) specializes, amongst other things, in the design and cutting of high quality acoustic panels.
Sound Forms PLC Board of Directors
Mark Stephenson: CEO (founder)
Jason Flanagan: Director (co-founder)
Paul Bavister: Director
Robin Rowland Hill: Director
Oliver Watts: Director
Registered Company No: 06904328
Company Secretary
Graham Urquhart, Woodside Company Secretaries (London)
Patent Attorneys
Beresford & Co (London)
27 Feb 2012
Mobile Acoustic Performance Shell London Docklands
The world’s first ever mobile acoustic performance shell will be unveiled at a special VIP event at London Docklands on 6th March 2012.
The BFLS and Arup Acoustics designed structure will be tested by top musicians in front of a specially selected audience. These revolutionary shells bring indoor quality and acoustics to the outdoor stage so that top performers can play in a sound enclosure worthy of their talent. Sound Forms Plc is the new British company behind the consortium that has designed and built these extraordinary mobile shells which are set to revolutionise open-air concerts. The shells will be unveiled and tested at a private concert at 6.00 pm on 6th March at ES Global, opposite the O2 arena.
photograph from architects
The design team’s challenge was to design and build an outdoor portable sound stage for the global market that would create a visual spectacle, vastly improve broadcast quality and provide an acoustic environment that would enable performers to hear their own music properly.
The world-class consortium includes Total Solutions Group that has built George Michael’s staging, leading engineers Arup Acoustics and Fineline, and Architen Landrell/Tensys who have worked on the NASA space programme. ES Global who builds touring stages for The Rolling Stones and Elton John, is the assembly and delivery partner.
Event information
Date: 6 Mar 2012
Venue: London Docklands
Address: ES Global, Bell Lane, North Woolwich Road, London E16 2AB
BFLS Architects London, UK : Architect Profile on e-architect
image : BFLS
Location: Bell Lane, North Woolwich Road, London, E16 2AB, England, UK
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