"Setting up a new roof system with these huge dimensions within four days, without even a trial build, is a daring accomplishment! We would not have taken this risk with any other company than Prolyte," explained the owner of the Prolyte Space roof, Gino Spijkerman of Interstage, shortly before the concert started.
Prolyte engineers Marc Hendriks and Ruud de Deugd were responsible for getting the roof ready for the show. "Ideas and negotiations for this roof started a couple of months back, but coming close to the final building and seeing it all come together, still is a thrill. Even though you are 100% certain of the design and the materials and every detail is calculated through and through, with a roof with these dimensions you can take no risks. Having no trial build was a certain risk the customer was willing to take, putting an even higher pressure on us by their shown trust and commitment," said Marc Hendriks.
"After spending so many months behind the desk, designing the roof, from basic idea to all the small details, going out and assisting in building this roof was a great pleasure". Ruud de Deugd assisted the building process on site and noted the enthusiastic remarks of the riggers.
Strong points, according to the rigging crew, are the easy access and reach of rigging points within the roof. The main beams provide a solid walking surface, while the weight of the various parts of the roof surprised them, compared to the relatively heavy steel parts of conventional roof systems.
The space roof, with its impressive measurements of 20m overall height, 37m width and 22m depth offers new dimensions for stage builders worldwide, the company says.
(Lee Baldock)
