Client:
The Old Vic
Designer:
BDP
Project Team:
The Old Vic | BDP Lighting | Rise Contracts
A standing ovation-worthy new chapter for The Old Vic!
Backstage at The Old Vic marks a new chapter for the theatre. The six-storey extension creates a welcoming, street-facing presence, activating the building throughout the day and bringing the surrounding streetscape alive at night.
Studiotech collaborated closely with BDP to illuminate the repurposed barndoors that form the fabric of the façade.
Engineering Design
Supply
Fabrication
Installation
Control
ENGINEERING DESIGN
A bespoke cassette was developed to sit discreetly behind the existing barndoors, integrating the LED source with minimal visual impact.
The cassettes were engineered to fit behind the barndoors, housing the LED modules while allowing full access for maintenance. Their design required careful coordination to ensure secure mounting and seamless integration with the original structure, creating a practical and discreet installation.
control
The cassettes are controlled in grouped zones across the façade, with just two multicore cables running from the control panel to discreet junction boxes in the lower barndoors, reducing visual impact, with cable sizes carefully selected and tested to fit within the limited containment space. The control panel integrates with The Old Vic’s EOS console, allowing content to be mapped to each barndoor, with decoders set for smooth, theatrical dimming.
Experience
The project brings the building to life, creating a rich, atmospheric experience after dark. Inside, the illuminated barndoors add depth, while the dynamic façade engages the street, reflecting the theatre’s energy and purpose.
