THE CANAL THEATRES

The complex of the Canal Theatres, built on the site of the Old Maintenance Workshops of El Canal, was designed by the Architect Juan Navarro Baldeweg and  consists of two Theatres for Performing Arts, a Main Hall and a Configurable Hall, in addition to a Dance Centre.

The Main Hall (the Red Hall) has a seating capacity of 851 and is intended mainly for theatrical performances, although it can also be used for opera, ballet, zarzuelas, symphonic concerts, concerts for amplified music etc.. Above the Red Hall is a Rehearsal Room for staging productions.

The Configurable Hall or Green Hall can accommodate many different types of performances, including those which require rearranging the seating distribution or allowing for more moving space on stage.

The Dance Centre contains many Rehearsal Rooms (9 Dance Rehearsal Rooms and 2 Lecture Rooms), Administrative Areas, a library etc..

GARCIA-BBM began work on the project for the Canal Theatres in 2001. We defined the criteria for optimum acoustics, studied the proposed ceiling and sight lines for the Main Hall and put forward the acoustic insulation requirements for the vertical and horizontal building elements, including doors and windows.

The Canal Theatres are subjected to different vibration and noise sources due to the intense traffic present in the area and the underground trains which pass nearby. A study was, therefore, carried out of the ambient noise and vibration levels and measures were taken to ensure that they do not interfere with the activity of the theatres.

As a result, GARCIA-BBM designed building solutions which offer high levels of acoustic insulation.  It also designed antivibratory systems, established noise and vibration control measures for mechanical installations and recommended the necessary interior finishes.

In order to hold Symphonic Concerts it was necessary to install an Acoustic Shell in the Main Hall. GARCIA-BBM was responsible for its acoustic and functional design- surface weight, necessary sound diffusion, size etc.

In 2008 GARCIA-BBM began supervising the acoustic aspects of  the construction stage of the project.  Periodic visits were made to the building site and measurement surveys were carried out to test the acoustic response of the rooms as the building progressed.

The absorption coefficients of the seats to be installed in the Main Hall or Red hall were measured in the Laboratories of GARCIA-BBM.

Once the building was completed GARCIA-BBM carried out acoustic tests on the two Halls and the Dance Centre.  These tests included measurements of reverberation time, acoustic parameters of fine adjustment, background levels generated by air-conditioning systems, noise levels generated by stage equipment and measurements of acoustic insulation etc.

The final measurements carried out during performances with public ( concerts with the Acoustic Shell, musical events with artificial amplification and theatral performances) indicated that the acoustic response of the Hall was within the range established as optimum for these activities.