046 REPORT
ICA
Company: Charcoalblue Location: London, UK
Early 2012 has bought a fresh new look and feel to the cinemas at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), the home of the British avant-garde. Between Christmas and New Year, multi award-winning theatre consultancy Charcoalblue ensured that the cinemas were completely transformed and ready to host the ninth London Short Film Festival. The project brief for Charcoalblue was to design, schedule and manage a compre- hensive refurbishment of the main ICA cinemas. The challenge was to ensure it could happen in the short break between Christmas and New Year. Following the design and specification by Charcoalblue of all of the necessary ele- ments, 285 seats were stripped out of the cinemas and removed from site on the 26 December, step-lights, carpets and wall coverings were removed the following day. Over the next two days the floor structure was modified to increase the provi- sion of fully accessible audience spaces, while 30 December and 2 - 3 January saw the addition of induction loop facilities to both spaces and the walls and floors carpeted. Finally 4 - 5 January saw the new seats installed together with a sound system installed by Orbital Sound and specifically designed to support presenta- tions given in Screen 1. Charcoalblue project-managed the entire refurbishment, making sure that deadlines were met and quality maintained throughout the very short installation period. “Over the years, the ICA Cinema has gained a reputation as a cinematic gem hidden in the heart of London,” says Paul Crosbie, Senior Project Manager for Charcoalblue. “The ICA has continued to offer film-lovers an eclectic mix of works from around the world and as a result the core audience has grown and become increasingly fond of the cinema. The brief was somewhat unusual in that accessibility, comfort and appearance were to be addressed but the mood and feel of the spaces was to remain unchanged. The programme was more challenging than is usual for this type of work, but thanks to the efforts of a wonderful team of suppliers and subcontractors, who were willing to put in the hours over the holiday period, we were able to turn this one around to the client’s satisfaction.” As well as film screenings, the nature of the contemporary work shown at the ICA means there is often a demand for post-screening panels, conferences and even live musical accompaniment to films. Using the cinema sound system for microphones was problematic as the main left, centre and right arrays are positioned directly behind the microphone which causes feedback. Prior to the works the only option the ICA had was to use the existing surround loudspeakers, which resulted in poor intelligibility and non-existing imag- ing at the stage. Charcoalblue was asked to address this, and developed a solution of two addi-
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tional loudspeakers on a down-stand at the front of the stage area. Ian Stickland, Project Manager for Charcoalblue explains: “Working with Orbital Sound, it was agreed that the d&b audiotechnik T10 loudspeaker would be an ideal choice as it’s rotatable horn allows it to be rigged horizontally with excellent intelligibility. This ap- proach had previously been installed with impressive results at the Tricycle cinemas in Kilburn.” “There were a number of practical reasons for choosing the T10 Loudspeaker,” continues Tom Byrne of Orbital Sound. “The compact size meant that we could hang the speakers in the ideal position without affecting the line of sight for the projector and throw. The T10 has a great throw - even when used as a point source loudspeaker - which means we can put in a pair of loudspeakers without the need for delays. This saved valuable time and money.” In addition to the new loudspeakers, Charcoalblue also advised on improvement to the installed infrastructure, which allow easier connection of equipment on stage, archive filming of events, and in-house mix position. New Ampetronic induction loop systems were also specified which were supplied and installed by Scan Audio. The cinemas reopened to the public on 6 January with a showcase of the best in new UK cinematic talent, combining new short films, retrospective screenings, and industry events. Karen Turner, Managing Director of the ICA, comments: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the public back to our newly refurbished cinemas which maintain the original and much-loved features whilst providing an improved level of comfort, accessibility and flexibility. The screening rooms are an essential part of the ICA, which aims to encourage the understanding, appreciation and development of the arts through exhibitions, film and live events. Charcoalblue has provided an impeccable level of service and demonstrated a sensitivity to the uniqueness of the project and venue.” The ICA works are the latest in a string of high-profile projects for Charcoalblue. In 2011, the company completed the brand new Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and the restoration of the Newcastle Theatre Royal, as well as overseeing the replacement of much of the flying system at the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre (without ever closing the venue). This year looks set to be an equally exciting year of benchmark projects for the company. Designs for the refurbishments of the National’s Cottesloe Theatre and the Chichester Festival Theatre are nearing completion, and construction work is well underway on Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre and a new Performance Venue in Doncaster. The reopening of both the London Hippodrome and Bristol Old Vic theatre are also due later in the year.
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