The Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, south west London, is a favourite entertainment venue for thousands of fans of all ages and genres. Originally opened in 1932, it is one of the country’s largest theatres and was designed by Robert Cromie in an Art Deco style. For a certain generation, this Grade 2 listed building will always be synonymous with famous performances by Motorhead and Thin Lizzy as well as being the final resting place of Ziggy Stardust.
James Morse Lighting Design was tasked with refurbishing the façade of the building, and Pharos partner Architainment used a Pharos LPC1 to control colour changing LEDs in a manner sympathetic to English Heritage’s preservation requirements. Philips ColorKinetics products were selected to replace the conventional light sources originally lining the theatre entrance, and the structure has been revitalised by the saturation in rich colours of its bold columns and distinct marquee. The simplified installation and control process reduced the necessary alterations to the original façade, and enhances a charming building for a new generation of audiences.
The interior of the Apollo had become a rather jaded, dark space, and specifier GDS was invited to join the design team tasked with its restoration. Using a template of vintage photographs, their vision was to work within the original design and wherever possible to restore historical features, such as the chandeliers and ceiling lights, to their original glory.
A Pharos LPC 1, with POE patching and distribution, is used to highlight the interior features, and the original fixtures are complemented with a new RGBW colour changing strip designed to achieve an even coverage of light throughout. The LPC1 communicates with wireless technology to output a large number of DMX channels to fixtures that cannot be cabled allowing for a flawless data transfer.
Of critical importance to the refurbishment was the need for the work to progress quickly. Pharos’ versatility in managing the lighting of both historical and modern features supported the speed of completion within a nine-week turnaround, and delivered a complete transformation of the entire space.
