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Photos by Paul Karalius

HOME MANCHESTER, UK

EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA One of the first things you recognise when you enter HOME is its strong sense of identity. Even the name HOME conjures a specific image in the mind. From the outside the building’s characteristic, triangular shape and rounded corners creates a strong visual identity. The glazed façade is fitted with irregular spaced fins, which open up where the public areas are located, giving the building a varied and dynamic appearance. And the façade can appear to change colour as

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it reflects the surrounding city and sky going from black, to blue, or green depending on the weather. Inside the large central wooden staircase is designed to change colour with time. The minimal architectural style and fixtures complement each other so seamlessly without distracting visitors from the large amount of natural light that seems to penetrate the entirety of the building. HOME was designed by RIBA Stirling prize nominated Dutch practice Mecanoo, which was selected following an international design competition in 2011. As a welcoming creative hub for all, where education, art and performance are all interlinked HOME had high expectations

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following its popular predecessors - HOME is a merger of two organisations, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company. After the closing of the Cornerhouse in early 2015 HOME has opened, no more than 500 yards away on First Street, Manchester, UK. The new international arts centre will commission, produce and present a provocative year-round artistic programme. Jasper Gilbert Technical Director and Head of Production spoke about the challenges of this very complex project: “What is interesting about the space at HOME is the fact that it is has quite a restrained footprint. But when you look at everything that’s actually inside you see how it stands out and that makes it unique.” Indeed, it is difficult to imagine from the outside that HOME holds five cinemas screens, two theatre spaces, a four metre, 500 sq metre high gallery, restaurant

and roof terrace. Not to mention bookshop, offices, rehearsal room and a public square all within 6,500 sq metres. Pretty impressive. At the heart of the building is a 500-seat theatre that stretches across three levels and has been designed so that no seat is more than 10-metres from the action. This gives it a very intimate and cosy feel, which has been emphasised by the charming block coloured seating throughout. The theatre has been fitted with an EM Acoustics PA system and lighting equipment from Strand. Discussing the audio set-up Jasper explained that it was specified in conjunction with architects, theatre acoustic consultants, Charcoalblue and Stage Electrics, one of the lead contractors. Paul Gregory, Sound Supervisor discusses the choice of equipment. “I have always been a big fan of EM Acoustics and have used

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its equipment a lot in other projects. It produces good sounding boxes that don’t require any additional processing. Originally I was interested in its compact line array system and a demonstration at the Lowry Theatre was organised. It sounded amazing but it wasn’t right for the space at HOME. The tiers are not very deep, and from the stage to the back of the auditorium is not very far, as a result we wouldn’t have had much to gain from using line arrays. So instead of the we chose a more traditional point source system.” Jasper interjected: “It’s a traditional 500-seat proscenium theatre which had some restraints because of the nature of the design and for this reason it doesn’t have a full fly tower. The configuration of

the design is quite visually interesting because there are two types of tower that sit either side of the stage. It creates some good side lighting positions but doesn’t allow you to hang a single line array. We have made some decisions, which are not necessarily industry standard good audio but for sonic reasoning. So some people might be surprised at our choice of equipment and I certainly was when I first came to the project.” Fitted in pairs to the towers on either side of the stage are a number of EM Acoustics MSE loudspeakers, which provide ample coverage for the space. For control an SSL L500 console has been installed. “When we look at the L500 we see it as SSL’s move into live theatre,” said Jasper. “As the desk is

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specifically designed for live use rather than studio use. I think it’s a big move for SSL and for us. We really appreciate all the help they gave us and we hope we can demonstrate the functionally of the L500 to other long term users in the industry. For the lighting, Lighting Supervisor, Danny Stuart discussed the chosen products. “At the start of the project I was asked to get together a kit list. I began to email different theatres and lighting designers around Britain for their opinion on what to use. This took a couple of years to put together. I got a good response about what kit was already being used, and what kit would be used if money was no option. Lighting Designer, Mike Cunnings who was our consultant also put his thoughts in about what we should use. Once we had a definitive list on what we wanted to use we went from there.” The end result was a selected ETC and Strand fixtures that have been mounted on a truss above the stage. I think it’s very quickly going to

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become what people call an ‘actors space’ its incredibly focussed,” he said about the main theatre. “The two circles will create the best relationship for an actor standing on stage in terms of how close you are. I think that adds something really unique to Manchester.” The third and fourth floors of HOME house five top-of-the-range cinemas in a range of sizes, allowing for flexibility in programming, have been installed with QSC loudspeakers and 4K digital projectors. The largest cinema is fitted with trussing allowing an extra element to the spaces’ functionality. “We are using 4K sonic projectors throughout all five cinemas,” said Jasper. “We have the option to add 3D to the main cinema at a later date too, if required. We took the old 35mm projectors from the Cornerhouse and had them fully refurbished, re-built and installed by Sound Associates into cinema one. This gives the option of using high-end digital projection but allow the purists to go back to the 35mm. The smaller screens are

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FRANÇAIS

Le nouveau centre d’art contemporain, de théâtre et de film international de Manchester, le HOME, ouvrira ses portes au printemps 2015. Le nouveau centre engagera, produira et présentera un programme artistique assez provocateur toute l’année. Le lieu a été conçu par le néerlandais Mecanoo, nominé pour le prix RIBA Stirling et sélectionné suite à un concours de design international en 2011. De l’extérieur, la forme triangulaire et les angles arrondis caractéristiques du bâtiment créent une identité visuelle forte. La façade vitrée est équipée d’ailettes à espace irrégulier, qui s’ouvrent vers le haut où se trouvent les espaces publics, donnant au bâtiment un aspect varié et dynamique. Au cœur du HOME se trouve un théâtre de 500 places sur trois niveaux, équipé de haut-parleurs de chez EM Acoustics et de produits d’éclairage de chez Strand Lighting. Le deuxième théâtre polyvalent, plus petit et de 150 places, dispose également d’équipements de chez Strand Lighting et CCT. Les responsables du HOME étaient très conscients du fait qu’ils devaient entièrement recycler et installer dans le nouveau lieu les équipements du théâtre « Corner House » ayant récemment fermé ses portes. Les troisième et quatrième étages abritent cinq salles de cinéma haut de gamme et de tailles variées permettant une certaine flexibilité dans la programmation. Ces salles ont été équipées d’enceintes QSC et de projecteurs numériques de 4 K. Le plus grand cinéma est équipé de poutres triangulées renforcées offrant un élément supplémentaire à la fonctionnalité des espaces.

DEUTSCH

HOME, das neue Zentrum für internationale moderne Kunst, Theater und Film in Manchester, wird im Frühjahr 2015 eröffnet. Dieses neue Zentrum wird das ganze Jahr über ein herausforderndes künstlerisches Programm in Auftrag geben, produzieren und präsentieren. Der Treff wurde durch die für den RIBA Stirling-Preis nominierte niederländische Praxis Mecanoo entworfen, die 2011 nach einem internationalen Designwettbewerb ausgewählt wurde. Von außen verschafft die charakteristische, dreieckige Form des Gebäudes mit abgerundeten Ecken eine starke visuelle Identität. Die verglaste Fassade ist mit in unregelmäßigen Abständen angebrachten Lamellen ausgestattet, die sich zu den öffentlichen Bereiche hin öffnen und somit dem Gebäude ein abwechslungsreiches und dynamisches Erscheinungsbild verleihen. Im Kernstück des Gebäudes verfügt HOME über ein Theater mit 500 Sitzplätzen über drei Etagen, das mit Lautsprechern von EM Acoustics und Beleuchtungsprodukten von Strand Lighting ausgestattet ist. Das zweite, kleinere Mehrzweck-Theater mit 150 Sitzplätzen verfügt ebenfalls über Strand-Beleuchtung und CCT-Produkte. HOME war sehr darauf bedacht, eine Null-Mülldeponie-Organisation zu sein, die Produkte des kürzlich geschlossenen ‘Corner house’-Theaters neu konditioniert und sie im neuen Treff installiert hat. In der dritten und vierten Etage befinden sich fünf Kinos der Oberklasse in verschiedenen Größen, die Flexibilität bei der Programmierung ermöglichen und die mit QSC-Lautsprechern und 4k digitalen Projektoren ausgestattet sind. Das größte Kino ist mit einem Traversensystem ausgerüstet, das neben der Funktionalität des Bereichs ein zusätzliches Element ermöglicht.

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like private screening rooms being 50-60 seats. And to be able to put 4K projectors in a small cinema is quite a revelation to everyone. What we have done in the two largest cinemas is put a performance infrastructure in. We can patch panels and fades that allow for screenings with live music.” HOME was very conscious of being a zero landfill organisation reconditioning products from the recently closed Cornerhouse theatre and installing them in the new venue. There are bee hives fitted on the roof of HOME to encourage wildlife and as much natural ventilation has been included in the design where possible. Dave Moutrey, Chief Executive of HOME had the final say about the project: “We’ll be a HOME for everyone, staging challenging and critically engaged art, yet connected with our city. We exist to produce outstanding art, create unforgettable experiences, develop skills and make a genuine difference to people’s lives. Being part of HOME, whether you’re an artist, an audience member, or part of our local communities, will be something rather special.”

TECHNICAL INFORMATION SOUND EM Acoustics PA system; QSC loudspeakers; SSL L500 console lighting & visual ETC fixtures; Strand luminaires; 4K digital projectors www.homemcr.org

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HOME, il nuovo centro internazionale di arti contemporanee, teatro e cinema di Manchester, verrá inaugurato ad aprile 2015. Il nuovo centro commissionerá, produrrá e presenterá un programma artistico provocatorio per tutto l’anno. Il locale é stato progettato dai candidati danesi al premio Stirling della RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), Mecanoo, selezionati a seguito di una competizione internazionale di design che si era svolta nel 2011. Dal di fuori, la caratteristica forma triangolare dell’edificio ed i suoi angoli arrotondati, creano un’identitá visiva molto forte. La facciata luccicante é ricoperta da alette poste in modo irregolare le quali, aprendosi in corrispondenza delle aree pubbliche, danno all’edificio un aspetto variegato e dinamico. Nel cuore dell’edificio HOME si trova un teatro di 500 posti disposto su tre livelli, il quale é stato equipaggiato con altoparlanti EM Acoustics e con prodotti per l’impianto luci della Strand Lighting. Anche nel secondo teatro da 150 posti (piú piccolo), che viene utilizzato per diverse attività, ritroviamo prodotti della Strand Lighting e della CCT. C’é anche da dire che HOME era molto cosciente del fatto di essere un’organizzazione ad impatto zero, visto che aveva utilizzato gli stessi prodotti del teatro “della porta accanto” che aveva chiuso poco prima. Il terzo ed il quarto piano ospitano cinque super cinema che hanno una grandezza tale da poter permettere flessibilitá nella programmazione e che sono stati equipaggiati con altoparlanti QSC e proiettori digitali 4k. Il cinema piú grande, inoltre, utilizza dei soppalchi che rappresentano un elemento extra per ció che concerne la funzionalitá degli spazi.

ESPAÑOL

HOME, el nuevo centro para el arte, teatro y cine contemporáneo internacional de Manchester, se estará inaugurando en la primavera de 2015. El nuevo centro contratará, producirá y presentará un provocador programa artístico todo el año. El lugar fue diseñado por el nominado al premio RIBA Stirling, la holandesa Mecanoo siguiendo una competición de diseño internacional en 2011. Desde afuera, la característica del edificio, de forma triangular y esquinas redondeadas, crea una fuerte identidad visual. La fachada vidriada está armada con aletas en espacios irregulares, que se abren donde se encuentran las áreas públicas, dándole al edificio una apariencia variada y dinámica. Dentro del corazón del edificio HOME alberga un teatro con capacidad para 500 asientos a lo largo de tres niveles, los cuales se han equipado con parlantes de EM Acoustics y productos de iluminación de Strand Lighting. El segundo teatro multipropósito, más pequeño, con capacidad para 150 asientos, también cuenta con productos de Strand Lighting y CCT. Hubo mucha conciencia de que HOME era una organización de reciclado, que reacondicionaba productos del teatro Corner House, recientemente cerrado, e instalándolos en el nuevo lugar. El tercer y cuarto piso albergan cinco cines de calidad superior en un rango de tamaños que permite la flexibilidad en la programación. Se han instalado parlantes QSC y proyectores digitales. El cine más grande está equipado con una estructura metálica que permite un elemento extra para la funcionalidad de los espacios.