In November 2013, Opera Australia presented it’s first ever complete staging of Richard Wagner’s ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen – The Ring Cycle.’
This opera consisted of over 350 singers, dancers, musicians, costume-makers and technicians, allotting 16 hours of opera over four (4) nights. It was presented in the Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre, one of the largest stages in the World. In order for this event to occur, the Orchestra Pit had to be upgraded from
a capacity of 60 players to house an orchestra greater than 100; which is the project Ducon undertook in mid-2012.
To allow for such a development, Ducon were contracted to remove existing concrete structure support rows A and B of the auditorium, and replaced it with a secondary orchestra pit. On top of the lift, a new removable seating rostra was installed, in order for the secondary orchestra pit lift to only be used when an event such as Wagner’s The Ring Cycle is staged. The lift mechanism works were subcontracted to a Sydney based company, Harris Movement Engineering (HME), who are an industry leading solutions provider experienced in machine and automation design. HME has worked on many other major entertainment complexes around Australia including Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, and the Sydney Opera House.
One of the most important aspects of this project was communication. This unique project involved the mechanism of the lift to be shipped from France in the months prior to construction. All of the details of the construction process, regardless of size, were decided upon, analyzed, discussed and revised by Ducon and HME before any construction took place inside the Arts Centre. Any inaccuracy or oversight could have had drastic implications to the project due to the lead time of the mechanical equipment.
Vigorous weekly meetings were held between Ducon, HME and other major trades involved in the project in order to organize the program around the tight allowance of working days which were available.
Only a handful of shutdown days were permitted by Arts Centre Melbourne due to the ongoing schedule of performing arts that was occurring at the same time as construction.
During construction it was imperative for all works on site to be sensitive to the surroundings. Rehearsals for upcoming Australian Ballet Company events were occurring during the demolition and construction stages of the project. These unique dimensions to the construction program reinforced the need to communicate not only between the trades on site but the management of Arts Centre Melbourne to fit in with the accompanying agenda.
Being sensitive to the surroundings also involved the preservation of one of the most celebrated entertainment halls in Australia. The protection of the existing equipment, stage floor and seating was paramount while removing the existing concrete structure under the rows A and B rostra. Prior to concrete removal, the Ducon team needed to organize an approach to working around the equipment load limits of the existing working platform.
Due to the restriction of using heavy machinery, lightweight aluminium gantries were employed to manoeuvre the small concrete blocks after being sawed from the rostra.
Large tarpaulin sheets were used to protect existing seats in the theatre from the output of dust as consequence of the hand sawing of the concrete. Water was utilized on the saw with slurry pumps taking away the sludge. In addition to this, industrial air filters were used to purify the air around the theatre.
After the orchestra lift was installed under the platform, a new removable seating rostrum was fitted. All seating was fitted with maroon velvet to match the existing rostrums as well as custom made brass plating, screws and sleeves. The quality of finish needed to be of absolute perfection to meet the client’s expectations. This demonstrates no matter how delicate a project can be, Ducon will deliver to the workmanship expected, to the budget allocated and to schedule the permitted of the client.
Brett Figas – Operations Manager
$1.4 million
1 Month
Construction
Arts Centre, Melbourne
We specialise in Heritage Refurbishments and Building Conservation and have our own Painting Division – Ducon Coatings.
