A new cultural centre in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany, uses an ETC Prodigy P2 rigging system to support a diverse programme of concerts, theatre, dance, film screenings and festivals.
FaustForum, representing an investment of €20 million, opened its doors in April following four years of planning and construction. Described by German broadcaster SWR as an "architectural masterpiece", the venue combines a media library with a multifunctional performance space, creating a new cultural hub for the region.
As the space is regularly reconfigured for different events, flexibility was a key consideration when selecting the stage technology. FaustForum chose a Prodigy P2-900 system, installed by Scheinwurf GmbH.
We were looking for a system that could be installed relatively quickly and easily, and that led us to Prodigy from ETC. The complete system was installed across two visits, in a total of just four working days. That impressed us, explains Simon Weiler, Technical Manager at FaustForum.
The installation comprises four motorised hoists: one located in the auditorium and three on stage, equipped with Compression Tubes, integrated cable management, six power circuits and two DMX universes. Around 50 fixtures, ranging from conventional white-light fixtures to moving lights and wash lights, can be flexibly positioned across the different hoists.
The system is controlled using a QuickTouch+ Mk2 control station, while a wired remote control allows the hoists to be operated within the operator's direct line of sight. An additional emergency stop provides further safety.
"The venue has a clear height of almost seven metres and we regularly change its configuration, so we use the hoists very flexibly", says Weiler. "The ETC Prodigy system is ideal for this".
Since opening, FaustForum has hosted between two and three events per week, with the system used by both the venue's technical team and visiting technicians.
It is intuitive and, with the QuickTouch control, I have complete control over all the hoists. Prodigy is flexible, its functions can be individually adapted and, thanks to its intuitive operation, visiting technicians can also work with it easily, says Weiler.
The integrated load management also simplifies day-to-day operation. "I can see the current load and the position of each hoist, as well as save different trim heights", explains Weiler. "This means the positions do not have to be measured again every time. It makes the daily work easier".
For Scheinwurf GmbH, Prodigy's integrated design also helped streamline the installation. "As a comparatively small company, we place great importance on making installation times on site as efficient as possible", explains Stefan Bettinger, Managing Director of Scheinwurf GmbH. "That is why we appreciate ETC's well-designed overall concept, with ColorSource Raceway, integrated cable management and pre-assembled components".
A three-person team installed and commissioned the complete system in just four days, including inspection and approval by an independent expert.
Bettinger also highlights Prodigy's intelligent control system, which provides users with operational information and automatically generates inspection reports.
It provides the user with the relevant information at any time and automatically generates a complete inspection report. This allows maintenance and safety-related inspections to be continuously documented. It provides real added value for installers, operators and inspectors alike, he says.
With a programme ranging from concerts and theatre to festivals and educational events, FaustForum needed a rigging system capable of adapting to different productions without adding complexity to day-to-day operations. "Prodigy is flexible and intuitive, and it gives us the control we need to use the space in different ways", concludes Weiler.
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