Press ReleaseCAMBRIDGE, MD… An innovative LandscapeInteriors™ metal fabric solution from Cambridge Architectural, the world's most experienced – and only full-service provider – of architectural metal fabric applications, dramatically defines and separates space within the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the new Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
The newly renovated theater, formerly the Aladdin Center for the Performing Arts, is designed to house Broadway-style shows for extended runs. Cambridge Architectural's innovative mesh application provides “house reduction” in order to produce more intimate seating for smaller crowds. Retractable panels of metal fabric allow larger areas of the theater to be reconfigured to suit the space requirements of an event. Specifically, the metal fabric application allows the 7,500-seat theater to be effectively reduced to seating for 2,800 through the use of glistening mesh partitions that carve out interior space.
“The former theatre was 30 years old and needed to have the flexibility to be used in several size configurations to maintain its viability,” explains Lendall Mains, architect, Lendall Mains Architect, Las Vegas, NV. “The new functionality and unique look of the mesh panels helped create an effective method of house reduction that revived a tired building for use in an ever-changing Las Vegas market.”
“This project was a perfect demonstration of our ability to solve unique problems with architectural mesh,” explains Heather Collins, director of marketing for Cambridge Architectural. “There were three important design considerations for this project aside from a striking visual appearance. The customer required acoustic transparency so that the finely tuned theater acoustics were not affected, the system had to be easy to operate with a minimum of training and, since there is little storage space, the screens needed to be self-contained. The mesh panels were also to be wash-lighted with RGB LED's and with projection from the stage. The system provides transparency while still offering a visual division of the space.”
In addition to aesthetics, the metal fabric application maintains many functional benefits, one of which is fire resistance. Traditional fabric curtains could not be used for the theatre due to fire code issues. The woven stainless steel mesh application solved this problem.
The custom LandscapeInteriors system is comprised of 23,000 sq. ft. of flexible metal fabric in Cambridge's Scale and Mid-Balance patterns. The two types of woven metal mesh were attached using Cambridge's ReeleaseTM attachment method, designed specifically by Cambridge engineers for this project as a solution for raising and lowering the metal fabric panels at the touch of a button. A concealed, overhead-mounted, motorized reel both unreels the the metal fabric downward and retracts it upward for hidden storage.
A total of 40 screen units were fabricated, varying in width from 10 ft. to 12 ft., and in lengths from 13 ft. to 68 ft. Cambridge performed all of the system design and fabrication, including a touch-screen control system.
The Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts was completed in the spring of 2007.
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