Contract installation - South East EnglandWe undertake contract installations on behalf of other manufacturers and suppliers within the industry. This was a prestigious contract in which we installed curtain tracking and curtains to a Drama Studio and Dance Studio.
The specification called for brackets to be fabricated at 800mm extension with additional supports through to the steelwork above the ceiling.
Guildford College Video SuiteThe College were refurbishing existing classrooms to provide a state-of-the-art video capture and editing suite and we were commissioned to provide perimeter curtaining in Budlan curtain fabric suspended from Doughty Sixline Track. Our brief was to work in conjunction with other technicians who were installing broadcast quality television cameras and sound and lighting systems to provide a backdrop where curtain handling would optimise the various layouts required within the Studio.
Papplewick School, AscotA private school located in the Surrey countryside. The School Hall had a stage but for over 25 years had only the Front of House curtains. The brief was to create a working stage with cyclorama, stage legs, mid curtain and valence to conceal the eventual placement of on-stage lighting.
There was only a very high concave lath and plaster ceiling with no immediately obvious place to suspend tracks.
We constructed a 'grid' above the stage using 48mm o/d steel tubing then suspended from that a 33mm o/d steel tubing grid connected by a series of 48/33mm adaptors from Tubeclip and used Yewdale 7700 corded track to hang a rear black serge curtain together with a bolton twill mid-curtain and valence.
The resulting grid has the structural strength to take reasonable amount of spots and colourwash on the stage.
The stage legs are our own design using Triple E 2 Rail and Yewdale 7700 as the carrier which is rubber damped at either end and allows the legs to rotate 360 degrees and be moved quietly on or off stage to suit requirements.
The client is delighted as it brought to life a bare stage and now
productions can be considered.
Comberton Village College, Cambridge
We procured a large contract from Kier Construction to provide curtains and blackout window blinds for a newly built Performing Arts Centre, Lecture Theatre and Science Lab. The contract also included some mirror curtains for a Dance Studio and over 45 free hanging blackout roller blinds to be fitted in various classrooms.
The clients architect specified the use of Silentgliss 4510 Cassette systems for the large windows in the Science Labs as these provide near 100% blackout. The Lecture Theatre was fitted out with Decora's System 55 cassette blackout blinds. We used Yewdale 7700 curtain track in the Performing Arts Centre as this is discreet and smooth running round the tight radius corners. We then made and hung 6 very large pairs of Bolton Twill curtains. Everything was manufactured and fitted in a 21 day day program and was completed on time, to the clients satisfaction and within budget.
Shaka Zulu Restaurant, Camden
The client has recently opened this stunning venue in the heart of London's entertainment centre and wished to create sectioned off areas within the restaurant for private functions, yet without completely blocking the view of the whole venue. We were commissioned to suggest ideas, and what became immediately apparent
was the amazing spectacle of four metre high Zulu figures mixed with subtle yet subdued lighting and 'African' patterned and coloured furnishing fabrics which needed to remain on view to all whilst still creating sectioned-off seating areas for multiple events. The use of a specially coloured flame proof voile (which was commissioned and woven so as to reduce the need for any unsightly joins) printed with the Shaka Zulu logo and then suspended in panels from 85 linear metres of free flowing bronze coloured track - was exactly what the client required. The effect is quite dramatic and the restaurant is well worth a visit to see and eat in!
Clifton School of Arts, Rotherham
The change of use of a Gymnasium into a multi - use facility incorporating a Performing Arts Hall
was the
requirement of the school and we were commissioned to hang a 16 metre wide by 7 metre drop back-stage drape
in Bolton Twill suspended from our own heavy duty Oxford Girder Track and also provide a storage bag for when the curtain was not in use
.
The job involved removal of ceiling tiles and fixing threaded M10 drop rods from the steel girder sections up in the roof. Followed by the use of specially manufactured U clamps to secure the track. Finally the replacement of tiles and hanging of the very large and heavy drape. The job was completed during School hours with no disruption to the working arrangements within the School.
The placement of the backdrop 1 metre in from the back wall enabled productions to carry on whilst allowing access across the Hall behind the Stage
for participants.
Alec Hunter Humanities College, BraintreeWe were commissioned to remove some quite old drapery from the School Stage and remove 21 venetian blinds and then replace with 15 window blinds using a dimout roller fabric. Brand new curtains were made for the Main Stage using fabrics selected from our Lanvera and Velour fabric ranges. Using a contrast Lanvera Slate for wings (and on-stage curtains) along with Purple Velvet Velour for FOH Curtains and Valence, together with Lanvera Purple curtains around the perimeter - a very pleasing and fresh look was given to the Main Hall.
Curtain tracks for the divider drapery was sourced from Hallis Hudson Ltd whilst the Main Stage Tracking (Triple E) was still intact and required no maintenance some 15 years after initial installation!
Awning Cambridgeshire UK
A SELT Dakar manually operated patio awning fitted full width across the back of customers house. The Dakar is a heavy duty awning system capable of manufacture to widths of 7 metres and extensions of 4 metres. This installation was 3.96 metres by 2.6 metres. The awnings can also be operated by remote control and can also incorporate wind and sun sensors.
Private House in Connecticut USA - Design & Furnish
The client was undergoing a Company move from England to the USA and commissioned us to select and install rugs and carpets, design and make all curtains, pelmets, headboards and quilted bedspreads. Also to acquire all furniture, lights, lamps and pictures all of which was then shipped out in 2 - 60' containers. All antique furniture had to be purchased either at auctions or through the trade. We even shipped 2000 bottles of best Malts and Wines from the UK to stock the vast wine cellar. Design boards for all rooms were agreed by the client whilst in the UK and the whole process from initial commission to install took nearly 2 years! We actually finished installing during the week that the client's builders finished the house and they moved in precisely on time. What's more the client flew our team to JFK by British Airways Club Class - we like that sort of client!
University Of Northumbria Student Union - Curtain Tracks and Curtains
The project involved the removal of 180 metres of old curtain rail and then the installation of 220 metres of brand new corded Yewdale Heavy Duty 7700 Curtain Rail which was fixed fixed to the steel roof structure using U bolts and drop arms. Then 16 pairs of Bolton Twill/Dimalan Blackout Curtains were made and hung. This was a challenging job logistically as were were working to a very tight deadline whilst having to utilise scissor lifts, floor space and roof space occupied by various other lighting, plumbing and air conditioning contractors. Keeping black and beige curtains clean, in what was a major construction site proved frustrating at times! However, the Main Contractor ( Sir Robert McAlpine ) instructed us on further work within the facility which was also successfully completed to budget and time.
Dakar Remote Control Awning with Removeable Side panels
The client wanted to be able to use the Dakar awning independently, which was electrically controlled , but with the ability to 'build' the waterproof and windproof outside room for parties and barbeques.
We made all the metal structure from 35mm tubing and designed it so as to be very easy to erect and dismantle.
Ripley Court School, UK
The client wanted to use the School Gymnasium as an occasional theatre so we devised a scheme for raising and lowering the backdrop and legs on pulley systems which, when not in use, meant the curtains could be removed and the poles and tracks hoisted aloft into a safe position.
The whole scheme had to have built in safety devices to prevent unexpected dropping of the quite heavy poles when the room was being used as a gymnasium. We are currently installing a bespoke sound and lighting scheme.
Cranfield Defence Establishment, Shrivenham, UK
The client wished to divide a very large hangar, where tanks and military vehicles are displayed, so that conferences could take place in one half with minimal sound transfer into the other half - meaning that echo and reverberation had to be reduced to a minimum to enable audio visual equipment to be used.
We installed a Halls Corded Track in the roof space ( involving the removal and refitting of roof tiles) and then hung 2 - Kilo Wool Serge 1000gsm Curtains from these tracks. A small valence was also fitted to hide the tracks from view.
The acoustic deadening quality of this Black Wool Serge is second to none and we fulfilled the brief exactly.
Berkhamsted Civic Centre, UK
We removed Stage Curtains which had been fitted some 20 years previously and refurbished the existing Halls T400 Track. Then installed a set of Plum Velour lined curtains. We also replaced the side curtains in the hall and installed Louvolite Vertical Blinds in the Offices.
Conservatory Blinds - Cambridgeshire
Our customer had a south facing glass roofed conservatory with a fitted air conditioning system.
Despite this the temperature could reach over 95 degrees in the mid-summer daytime so we recommended
pleated blinds from Louvolite which had the SPC solar reflective backing.
The blinds were manufactured for us by Skylite Systems and we fitted them in one day. The huge benefits of these blinds are that the temperature has been reduced to a comfortable 75 degrees when combined with the aircon and the client now uses this room as an extension to their home and can dine in comfort.
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