Technology for flexibility

The Alte Reithalle Aarau: an extremely extensive, exciting and varied project.

In collaboration with Barao-Hutter Atelier from St. Gallen and the theatre planning office of Hans-Jörg Huber and Esther Ambühl from Baar in Switzerland, the support rail construction for the entire chain hoist system in the Alte Reithalle Aarau was realised using the Gerriets CARGO XL heavy-duty rail system. Approx. 260 metres of CARGO XL were used here, allowing the chain hoists to be positioned and controlled with the utmost flexibility in the Alte Reithalle.

In addition to the heavy-duty rail system, Gerriets also assembled the entire notice board in the foyer of the Alte Reithalle and installed it flexibly on trusses using the TRUMPF 95 curtain rail system with tubular hooks. The poster was made from Gerriets CLIVIA 450 cotton velour in deep black. A total of approx. 1,600 m² of this was used.

A main curtain for the large stage was made from Gerriets TREVIRA CS velour ALICANTE in anthracite. Special attention was paid to the movable and adjustable foyer area with an elaborate decorative canopy made of silver-coloured special spun fabrics, lined with ABSORBER CS, a material specially developed by Gerriets with very high sound absorption values. A total of approx. 800 m² of the silver-coloured special fabric and approx. 1,400 m² of the ABSORBER CS were used - all textiles can be stowed away in the special cases with ventilation slits supplied. In order to meet the acoustic challenges of the indoor riding arena, 30 pcs. Gerriets G-SORBER 1-ply with a curtain size of 2.30 x 7.00 m (W x H) each, including a complex control system for individual and programmable group movements. The G-SORBER with the ABSORBER CS curtain can also be moved at an angle using a special guide. The dance floor coverings for the stage, including the necessary transport trolleys, were also supplied by Gerriets. The newly developed VARIO 2.0, which impresses with its outstanding surface properties in combination with its extremely high load-bearing capacity, was selected as the dance floor in the Aarau riding arena.

Other special features supplied by Gerriets for this project included the customised seat cushions for the stage platforms and all the curtains in the rehearsal areas and vestibules at the entrances.