Maxwood Technology meets heritage needs with seat installation at Sydney Opera House’s Studio Theatre

Seating specialists Maxwood Technology Australia has shared details of its recent installation of 130 customised seats at the Studio Theatre at the Sydney Opera House.

The most flexible venue at the Opera House, changing to meet the needs of its many diverse uses ranging from contemporary music, cabaret and circus acts, spoken-word, cocktail parties and corporate presentations, the Studio Theatre required replacement of its lower-level retractable seating.

Tasked with maintaining the heritage features of the venue, Maxwood Technology fitted custom-made seats along with white birch wood armrests provided by the original supplier.

With the former installation having been time consuming to operate, Maxwood Technology’s solution delivered a custom-made easy-to-use retractable unit with a specific 1.9 metre mobile piece for enhanced access for specialist items such as a baby grand piano and other equipment.

Maxwood also supplied antique brass patina handrails down the sides of unit.

The 10-day project, which saw the Studio Theatre closed for a minimum time, also saw the installation of custom-made stair nosing with integrated LED lighting.

Maxwood’s MX LEDtred 'black box' is a market leading step tread nosing designed to AS1428.1 standard. The intergration of the LED strip ensures it also achieves H1.7 aisle lighting requirements for special use buildings such as theatres, performing arts centres, school and education venues.

Commenting on the project, Maxwood Technology General Manager, Michael Donnelly advised that it was “a privilege to design and fit out the seating for the iconic Studio Theatre at Sydney Opera House.

“With customised seats, brass finishes and aisle lighting solution this truly is an exceptional space.”

Click here to contact Maxwood Technology Australia via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: Maxwood Technology seats at the Studio Theatre at the Sydney Opera House (top), the installation from above (middle) and the antique brass patina handrails down the sides of unit (below). Credit: Maxwood Technology Australia.