To enhance the world-class entertainment programme at its Turner Sims Theatre, the University of Southampton tendered for the design and installation of a new multi-purpose events lighting system.
Drawing on its wealth of experience in delivering a multitude of installations at renowned venues worldwide, technical solutions specialist White Light (WL) was successfully engaged for the project.
Every year, Turner Sims welcomes a broad nature of performers – collaborating with professional artists, amateur groups, rising stars, students, children, young people, and families. As such, there is an extensive range of different needs from the in-house lighting rig, to effectively deliver the full scope of requirements.
The brief called for a cost-effective, versatile and easy to operate and maintain system, designed with sustainability in mind. There were two key aspects to consider – firstly, how best to enhance both the performer and audience experience for the venue’s diverse annual programme of 170+ performances. Secondly, and of equal importance, was the objective to minimise the carbon footprint of the building.
Having attended an initial site visit during the tender stage, WL’s Integration team fully understood the multi-purpose nature of the core requirements. Utilising its extensive expertise in working with different touring artists and performers, WL took a unique approach to system design and equipment specification. This ensured the proposed solution would meet the widest possible range of their needs when arriving onsite, as well as maximising what could be achieved within budget.
WL’s Project Manager - Paul McLean, explains: “We knew that a full removal and replacement of the installed infrastructure would absorb a significant percentage of the budget, so we opted to focus on the potential for integration. Working with our partner network of manufacturers, we proposed market-leading, cost-effective equipment that would provide maximum functionality and flexibility.”
Understanding the in-house technical team’s skillset and resource availability was also crucial, so WL worked closely with the venue’s Estates team. This approach highlighted the appropriate level of training and support required, enabling them to take full advantage of the system’s capabilities beyond project completion.
Before work commenced, WL used Capture software and 3D CAD to create a series of detailed renders. Paul says: “Capture enabled us to model the venue and produce visible representations of what we were proposing. This was vital in helping the client fully comprehend and visualise the new system’s versatility to complement different performance scenarios, for example, the orchestra lighting, which was particularly important.”
Factoring in the Hall’s characteristics and the varied nature of the events programme, WL designed an LED solution, to complement and work in conjunction with the existing lighting rig. This gave the flexibility to achieve a range of lighting states, covering the house, zoned concert platform and floor areas, as well as increasing opportunities for rapid reset between performances.
As a certified B Corporation (B Corp), WL was also expertly placed to deliver an environmentally conscious solution, helping to minimise the carbon footprint of events held in the auditorium.
Having previously struggled to meet the wide range of needs for different artists and performers, the new system installation has been transformational. Turner Sims’ Head of Operations – Val Drayton, comments: “From the outset, WL’s enthusiasm, knowledge, expertise and skills really stood out to us and we were delighted with how quickly they understood what we needed. They even helped us troubleshoot challenges we’d been facing with the existing rig, which made us feel really heard.
“Our vision was quite vague initially, but WL brought creative ideas and suggestions to the table, always striving to help us understand the technicalities of what they were proposing. Working with WL was a fantastic experience and delivered a much better lighting rig than we had even imagined. At the touch of a switch, we can now change the venue from one environment to another, so visitor experience wise, no one is going to know what’s hit them! It’s going to be amazing.”
The project has also delivered on the sustainability objectives – to minimise waste and reduce the venue’s impact on the climate. The utilisation of LED equipment has reduced the building’s carbon footprint by 90% and given the lighting equipment a lifetime of up to 40 times longer than older fixtures.
WL’s Project Manager – Stuart Bourne, comments: “We are thrilled with the outcome of this installation. Throughout the project, we drew on our experience of managing a broad range of stakeholder relationships within educational institutions, to design a transformative solution. We’re proud to have achieved all objectives and surpassed our client’s expectations. We hope that this is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with the University of Southampton.”