24
INTERIORS
Harlequin Floors launches Harlequin Liberty Switch
H
arlequin Floors, the global leader in advanced technology flooring for dance and the performing arts has launched a pioneering new floor system. Harlequin Liberty SwitchTM
is a professional
multi-use floor that can be switched from a rigid theatrical floor to a sprung dance floor at the touch of a button.
This innovative and versatile floor has been designed for venues who regularly put on both dance and theatrical performances and so require both a sprung and a rigid floor in the same performance or rehearsal space. Earlier this year Harlequin installers from
the UK, Luxembourg and Berlin teamed up to install Liberty Switch at the Opera House in Vienna, one of the leading opera houses in the world. The Vienna State Opera and Vienna State Ballet needed a rehearsal space that they could both access day to day.
Martin Schläpfer, Ballet Director and Chief Choreographer of the Vienna State Ballet, said: “We are extremely excited to be the first venue to have Harlequin Liberty Switch! It is easy to use and it is great being able to switch between a sprung and rigid floor so quickly.” Harlequin Liberty Switch™ is a modular multi-use floor system comprised of a base unit with the drive and control mechanism topped with a Harlequin Liberty sprung floor. The base units house a series of moving carriages connected by rods running on high-strength carrier rails powered by electric actuators located at the ends of each row. Each actuator and associated controller are linked to a master control unit located off-stage. The upper surfaces of the base units are fitted with wooden battens which align with the sprung elastomer pads of the Harlequin Liberty panel above. The upper
panels are standard Harlequin Liberty with the addition of UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) low-friction blocks on the underside.
This new approach has many benefits over the old approach of swapping floors between shows. It transforms between a sprung floor to a rigid floor in minutes, is more cost effective than an equivalent ballet wagon, there are no labour costs in laying and removing a temporary floor and no storage costs.
Harlequin Liberty Switch™ is a modular system that can be modified to meet any structural design requirements and can be custom designed to incorporate features such as traps, lifts and revolves as required. Areas of the floor can be quickly isolated to create rigid zones for the placement of pianos, scenery or retractable seating while the rest of the floor is used as a sprung dance floor. Operation of the Harlequin Liberty Switch floor system is via a hard-wired master control unit. This can be integrated with most existing stage control or building management systems. A wireless control system with remote monitoring can be specified if required. To discuss Liberty Switch or other performance floor requirements,
please
contact our technical team. 01892 514 888
enquiries@harlequinfloors.com ADF06_British Harlequinn_Interiors - Floors & Floor
Coverings_FPAdv.indd 1
18/05/2022 14:41 LISTEN HERE
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