Wegener Concert Theatre, Orpheus Theatre and Congress Centre, Apeldoorn, Netherlands

Wegener Concert Theatre, within the recently renovated Orpheus Theatre and Congress Centre in The Netherlands, reopened its doors in November 2004. Also known as Schouwburg en Congrescentrum Orpheus, the facility also includes the smaller multi-use and studio theaters, Rabobank Zaal and the Hanos Zaal.

The 1200-seat flexible facility accommodates a wide range of programs, including chamber music; full orchestra with choir; lyric theater such as opera; staged drama; Broadway type shows; and popular music performances, in the best possible acoustic and comfort conditions for both artists and audience. To achieve this high quality and flexibility, Artec created a system of variable acoustics elements to adapt the auditorium's acoustic environment to the particular conditions required for each performance type.

The design includes a full stagehouse with an acoustical ceiling that can be deployed in "concert mode" to accommodate musical ensembles of different sizes. When not needed, this acoustical ceiling can be stored in the upper part of the stage house, in a position that does not interfere with the stagehouse flying system. Acoustical "towers" complete the orchestra shell system in the concert mode. An orchestra pit with a forestage extension lift enables changes to stage size and seating capacity.

Artec provided Design and Planning services covering Auditorium Acoustics Design and Background Noise and Vibration Control consulting for the overall renovation, and basic room design, Auditorium Design, Background Noise and Vibration Control and Facility Planning consulting services for Wegener Concert Theatre. Architect for the project was Architectuurstudio Herman Hertzberger.