Sontay performs at New London Theatre
The speedy retrofit of HVAC controls at the New London Theatre in London, home to ‘War horse’ has been achieved using Sontay’s SonNet wireless sensing system. Carried out with minimal disruption to the day-to-day running of the theatre, the new installation was completed by Concise Controls. It will help improve energy efficiency and increase the flexibility of building use.
The theatre was opened in 1973 and has a seating capacity of 960 across two levels. Its productions include ‘Cats’, ‘Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat’, and ‘Gone with the wind’.
The original controls had only a single return-temperature sensor. With the new wireless sensors, Concise Controls was able to add multiple space sensors to get a greater understanding of the temperature stratification for the audience’s comfort. This was one of the main aims of the controls upgrade.
Phil Peverley, managing director of Concise Controls, explains. ‘The theatre required a control system that could be seamlessly installed without disrupting the running of the theatre or affect the fabric of the building. We were not allowed to run cables in the open spaces so decided wireless would be the best option. The sensors were painted brown to blend in. As the walls were covered in padded fabric for sound deadening we used Velcro on the back to attach them.’
Temperature sensors have been installed on all levels of the stalls and circle. They are in line of sight with one another as far as possible.
As the sensors are wireless, they can readily be re-located or new sensors added should theatre layouts and the requirement for temperature measurement change over time.
