Charcoalblue Collaborates on Revolutionary New Space at The Hepworth, UK

	The Hepworth Opens to the Public

Designed by David Chipperfield Architects with auditorium design by Charcoalblue theatre consultants, the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, UK opened to the public on May 21.

So far, the reviews have been extremely positive and the building has been tagged by respected UK sculptor Anthony Gormley as a future "place of pilgrimage for all lovers of sculpture."

Built to house works created by its namesake, sculptress Barbara Hepworth, as well as other British contemporary artists, visitors will be able to augment their visual experience through a variety of multi-media talks, presentations, and lectures in the Charcoalblue-designed auditorium. Charcoalblue's design director, Gavin Green, collaborated with Chipperfield to deliver just the right balance of style and technical wizardry in the space. Green, who is fresh from the launch of the RSC's new 1,000-seat theatre, says he's thrilled to be opening yet another unique venue this year: "Working alongside a world-respected, multi award-winning architectural firm like Chipperfields has been an honor and an extremely rewarding learning experience," he says. "In addition, contributing to the design of what's sure to become one of the UK's most important national icons to British art has been exhilarating."

Charcoalblue has created a flexible, reconfigurable space, which allows speedy transformation from one layout to another -- from a fully blacked-out theatre to a natural light-filled exhibition space. The room can support every type of event from complex, multimedia, surround-sound, and video environments and performance-style shows to PowerPoint-style presentations and informal meetings.

Ian Stickland, AV consultant for Charcoalblue on the project, says, "We specified fully integrated, intuitive AMX touch screens, which offer end users easy to understand control interfaces between them and the sophisticated lighting, audio, and video networks. To keep things straightforward, we've programmed a number of predetermined room environments into the system, which can be recalled at the touch of a virtual button! However, this does not prevent the more experienced programmer or designer from directly accessing technical systems and programming bespoke lighting, sound, and video solutions for each event."

Key technical features include high-resolution projection, dynamic theatre-style lighting and control, full Dolby surround sound and automated blackout blinds for the full-height windows that run along one wall. A flexible seating system for up to 100 ensures the auditorium can be cleared easily and seats stack quickly and neatly into visually discreet storage areas.

At the opening, Wakefield Council leader Peter Box said, "After so many years in the making, it's tremendous to see the gallery opening. It will be a fantastic facility for both local people and visitors to the region. The Hepworth will bring economic and cultural benefits, celebrating our heritage and encouraging more investment in the future, placing Wakefield as a major centre for visitors from all over the country and abroad."