Modular area or space for holding public events

Abstract

A modular area or space (10) for holding public events such as theatrical, musical and other events, fashion shows, nightclubs, e-sports, e-gaming events, conventions, digital art exhibitions, immersive and non-immersive installations and the like and well-known entertainment and art-related events, comprising a modular stage / auditorium area that can be reconfigured and comprises a stage (or performance area) (12) and auditorium (or spectator area) (14) arranged on a level with an ascending progression from a centre outwards, with movable panels (15) extensible and retractable with respect to portions (12') of the stage (12) for completely covering / uncovering the auditorium (14), means for actuating the movement of said movable panels (15) and means for constraining said movable panels (15) in a completely extended / extracted configuration.

Description

The present invention relates to a modular area or space for holding public events. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular area or space for holding public events such as theatrical, musical and other events, fashion shows, nightclubs, e-sports, e-gaming events, conventions, digital art exhibitions, immersive and non-immersive installations and the like and well-known entertainment and art-related events. As is well known, venues for musical or other performances or events, be they theatres or arenas or concert halls, are generally permanent buildings, which also have a reference (or landmark) function in the urban context, the construction of which is time-consuming as well as costly. These structures, once completed, still have a standardised internal layout that limits modifications and adaptations to accommodate types of performances different from those for which they were originally designed. There are well known examples of traditional performance venues composed of stage and auditorium facing each other and which propose, alongside the traditional schedule of the theatre season, the use of these areas for corporate events, meetings, concerts, festivals and conferences which, however, have many limitations due to the static nature of the stage and auditorium and this, in fact, prevents interactive and immersive experiences between what is represented on the stage and the spectators; in fact, the area of the auditorium in classical theatrical contexts cannot be changed except with structural modifications or complex and costly dismantling, which also requires storage for the materials removed from the auditorium and / or those necessary for their reconfiguration, and the same applies to the stage. However, even the latest generation of theatres with automatically retractable seats (i.e. a type of seating that comprises a mechanism for folding and unfolding the tiered platforms comprising seats carried out with a remote push-button control and with the seats being folded or unfolded row by row typically in a manual manner) have major drawbacks; these solutions do not allow the extension of the stage in relation to the auditorium to be modulated gradually and according to specific configuration preferences, creating, for example, an “all-stage” or “all-auditorium” structure. So-called “movable” theatres (designed to accommodate up to almost two thousand people) are known to consist of prefabricated structures that can be reconfigured according to the specific needs of the performance they host, including shed-like structures, etc. (e.g. the RePower theatre in Assago, Italy). However, these types of theatres are shed-like structures and are characterised by simple structures with small spans and low load-bearing capacity and, therefore, cannot meet the demands of modern large-scale performances. However, these types of structures, although functional for a possible reconfiguration of spaces, are not capable of performing a function similar to that of a fixed building like a performance venue and, for example, cannot become a support for multimedia video shows and it is not possible to organise a lot of performance equipment with a large load capacity in such spaces. A solution to these technical problems can be found in WO2016142396 which describes a theatre auditorium that can be modulated in different configurations in which the space reserved for the stage and the space reserved for the auditorium alternate with each other to guarantee, if necessary, a variety of extensions / reductions in the surface area of the stage and the auditorium; the theatre auditorium referred to in the aforementioned document defines a movable covering of the auditorium created by means of a plurality of panels defining an additional walking surface adjacent to the stage, with such panels lying in a position below a portion of the stage (leaving a portion of the auditorium free) and which may be arranged to rest on at least one seat of the auditorium to cover them. However, even this solution is not without several major problems. The described theatre auditorium, in fact, does not allow for an effective and safe guarantee of the outflow / inflow of the audience to the auditorium area without the need to follow a spiral path and, furthermore, the same theatre auditorium does not solve the problems related to the treatment of the air in the theatre area that is emitted from below and taken up from above and that must guarantee a limited possibility of diffusion of possible contaminants among the audience as the use of movable panels in an extended configuration to cover the auditorium as described in the document represents an obstacle to the distribution of air from below (e.g. as the emission vents are at spectator level) and correct passage of the amplifiers’ emission (as they are also placed at spectator level). The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to define a modular area or space for holding public events that allows for a gradual configuration / reconfiguration up to a maximum of total stage / auditorium cover in a quick and easy manner according to specific needs. A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular area for which the configuration change is fully automated. A further object of the present invention is to define a modular area or space suitable for optimising the safety and logistical criteria associated with the inflow and outflow of the audience into and out of the auditorium. A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular area or space suitable for optimising the management of services in the auditorium such as, for example, air conditioning, sound diffusion and the like. A further object of the present invention is to make available to users a modular area or space solution for holding immersive public events that can guarantee a high degree of reliability over time and that, moreover, can be easily constructed. These and other objects are achieved by the invention having the characteristics set forth in claim 1. According to the invention, a modular area or space is provided for holding public events such as theatre, music and non-theatre events, fashion shows, nightclubs, e-sports events, e-gaming, conventions, digital art exhibitions, immersive and non-immersive installations and similar entertainment-related events, comprising a modular stage / auditorium area that can be reconfigured and that comprises a stage and an auditorium arranged on a level with an upward progression from the centre outwards, with extensible and retractable movable panels in relation to portions of the stage for completely covering / uncovering the auditorium. The auditorium consist of fixed seats that rotate on themselves through 360°. In addition, the means for actuating the movement of said movable panels and the means for constraining said movable panels in complete extension / extraction configuration are provided. Preferred embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims. The constructive and functional characteristics of the modular area for the holding public events of the present invention may be better clarified by the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, and in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a plan view from above of an embodiment of the area or modular space for holding public events of the present invention in accordance with a set-up configuration; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a plan view from above of an embodiment of the area or modular space of the invention according to a further set-up configuration; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a side section view of an embodiment of the modular area or space in Figures 1 or 2; Figure 4 schematically illustrates an axonometric view of a portion of the area or modular space of the invention in a covered stall configuration; Figure 5 schematically illustrates an axonometric view of a portion of the area or modular space of the invention in an uncovered stall configuration; Figures 6 to 11 schematically illustrate a sequence of operational steps functional to a variation of the set-up configuration of the embodiment of the area or modular space of the invention. The modular area or space for holding public events of the present invention, indicated overall with 10 in the figures, substantially defines a modular stage / auditorium area suitable for being modified according to the specific requirements related to an event taking place therein, and comprising a stage 12 and auditorium 14 arranged on a level with an ascending progression from a centre outwards, an audience inflow / outflow area located at a lower level compared to the stage, with movable panels 15 that can be extended at will, equipped with special slits or holes to ensure an even distribution of the conditioned air (as indicated by the “X” arrows in Figure 3) from the bottom upwards at spectator level when the auditorium are covered by the movable panels. Said movable panels 15 can extend from a portion 16 below a portion 12’ of stage 12, which represents a technical area also containing the air-conditioning ducts 18, to cover part of the auditorium 14 and the seats 14’ present therein without the need to dismantle, remove and store said seats; the movable panels 15, resting on the lower perimeter of said auditorium 14, completely cover the auditorium themselves (as in Figure 2) to define, in this configuration, a completely walkable surface permeable to the conditioned air that constitutes an extension of the stage 12. Thanks to the movement of the movable panels 15, as further detailed below, the walkable surface of the modular area can be reconfigured and define, for example, when all the panels are in an extended position above the auditorium area, a walkable surface like a sort of “square” suitable not only for street theatre performances, but also for exhibitions, installations, night clubs and the like and, in such a configuration, the walkable surface appears as a single surface with different but contiguous inclinations and with a slope comprised between 0%-6%. This configuration is made possible by the fact that the stage 12 and auditorium 14 are made up of respective adjacent and alternating portions that extend, in accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, according to respective spiral paths or in accordance with concentric geometric shapes (circular, triangular or square or similar) with a central stage portion 12” that is movable and can be lowered, raised and, in the case of a circular central stage, rotated according to a vertical axis. The movement of the movable panels 15 is performed by means of actuators that control the extraction of the movable panel 15 from the portion 12’ of stage 12 covering the portion of auditorium 14 or the reinsertion of the same movable panel in the portion 12’ of stage 12 with the uncovering of the portion of auditorium 14. The movement of the movable panels 15 is illustrated in its operational steps in Figures 6 to 11. Figure 6 schematically illustrates a portion of the modular area with the auditorium 14 uncovered and, therefore, usable by spectators arranged on fixed armchairs 14’, which rotate on themselves through 360° (preferably, there is a limited number of adjacent rows of armchairs (2 or 3 rows) with a centre-to-centre distance between the armchairs comprised between 0.80 - 1.2 m, in such a way as to guarantee both the space for rotation and the space for a lower chance of contact between the audience) and with the movable panel 15 which is in a completely internally retracted position and below the portion 12’ of stage 12) and, more specifically, is housed in a containment compartment 16’ of the portion 16 below the stage 12. When a configuration change is required with cover of the auditorium 14 with the corresponding seats 14’, the modular area performs the following sequence of steps: - the movable panel 15 is moved externally to the portion 12’ of stage 12 (as indicated by the arrow “A” in Figure 6) by means of an actuator 20 defined by a telescopic arm and articulated until it is fully extended with respect to the aforementioned portion 12’; - the actuator 20 imposes on said movable panel 15 a lifting movement in vertical translation (as indicated by the arrow “Al” in Figure 7) so as to detach it from the plane of the portion 12’ of stage 12; - in this position a portion of the end 15’ of the movable panel 15, normally folded underneath said movable panel (in contact with a lower face of the panel opposite an upper face defining a walking surface), is made to rotate (as indicated by the arrow “R” in Figure 8) in order to arrange itself coplanar with the upper face (or walking surface) of the panel 15 to define therewith a single and uniform surface (this movement is always carried out by means of the actuator 20); - the movable panel 15 with the connected end portion 15’ is moved for a small distance in translation in a direction opposite that in which it was extracted (as indicated by the arrow “A2” in Figure 9); - the movable panel is then brought into a position of coplanarity with the portions of the stage 12 (front and rear in relation to the intermediate panel); and then, - pins 24 comprised in the thickness of the portions 12’ of stage 12 are driven in translation to engage in dedicated seats formed in the thickness of the movable panel 15 to define a constraint of said movable panel with respect to said portions of stage. Should it otherwise become necessary to have more stall space 14, the change in configuration would involve moving the movable panels 15 in repositioning within a portion 12’ of stage 12 in accordance with a sequence of steps contrary to that described above. A control unit manages, according to the specific configuration requirements, the selection and movement of the movable panels 15 to be extracted to cover the auditorium 14 or to be repositioned within the portions 12’ of stage 12 to uncover the auditorium. As described above, the movable panels 15 are provided with special slits or holes to ensure an even distribution of the conditioned air whose systems and, specifically, the distribution ducts (identified by the ducts 18), are housed in the portion 16 below the stage 12 (in particular, below the portion 16’ housing the movable panels 15) which moreover, comprises hot or cold air emission vents arranged at the level of the audience and behind the seat itself on the armchairs 14’ of the auditorium 14, with said air emitted from below towards (as shown by the arrows “X” in Figure 3), so as to guarantee circulation that drastically reduces a possible diffusion of potentially viral particles among the audience. The aforementioned air distribution system can also have the function of a sanitising system of the auditorium by means of the introduction of sanitising substances (e.g. sodium hypochlorite (0.1% - 0.5%), ethanol (62% - 71%) or hydrogen peroxide (0.5%)) into the same system, functional for the complete sanitisation of the auditorium between one performance and the next. As can be seen from the above, the advantages of the modular area or space for public events of the invention are clear. The modular area or space for holding public events of the present invention advantageously permits rapid as well as easy configuration / reconfiguration of the stage / auditorium without the need for manual intervention (with the exception of activities such as maintenance or replacement of components or repairs or the like). A further advantage of the present invention is that, due to its modular configuration, the area or space is highly flexible and can be used for multiple types of activities in a very short time and over the same day. A further advantage of the modular area or space of the invention is that the extension of the stage or auditorium can be modified in a fully automated manner according to the specific use requirements of the area. This advantage leads to a cost advantage in terms of changing the configuration of the 5 event space or area, as no operator intervention is required to change the configuration, operational time is reduced compared to manual intervention and, consequently, so are the related costs. A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows for optimisation of the safety criteria related to the inflow and outflow of the audience into and from the auditorium. 10          Although the invention has been described above with particular reference to an embodiment of the invention provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art in the light of the above description. The present invention is, thus, intended to encompass all modifications and variations within the scope of the following claims. 15

Claims

1. Modular area or space (10) for holding public events such as theatrical, musical and other events, fashion shows, nightclubs, e-sports, e-gaming events, conventions, digital art exhibitions, immersive and non-immersive installations and the like and well-known entertainment and art-related events, characterised in that it comprises a modular stage / auditorium area that can be reconfigured and comprises a stage (or performance part) (12) and auditorium (14) comprising two or more rows of seats (14’) which rotate through 360° on their own axis arranged on a level with an ascending progression from a centre outwards, with movable panels (15) extensible and retractable with respect to portions (12’) of the stage (12) for completely covering / uncovering the auditorium (14), means for actuating the movement of said movable panels (15) and means for constraining said movable panels (15) in a completely extended / extracted configuration.

2. Modular area or space according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the stage (12) and the auditorium (14) are made up of respective mutually adjacent and alternating portions.

3. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the portions of stage and auditorium extend according to respective spiral paths or in accordance with concentric geometric shapes such as circular, triangular or square or the like with a central portion (12”) of stage (12).

4. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central portion (12”) of the stage (12) is movable downwards, upwards and / or in rotation.

5. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that individual movable panels (15) are housed in a containment compartment (16’) of a portion (16) below a portion (12’) of the stage (12).

6. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an actuator (20) comprising a telescopic and articulated arm connected to a single movable panel (15) and functional for the extraction and reinsertion of said movable panel (15) with respect to the portion (12’) of the stage (12).

7. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the change in configuration of the modular area covering portions of the auditorium (14) comprises the sequence of steps of:- translating the movable panel (15) outside the portion (12’) of the stage (12) by means of the actuator (20) until complete extraction of said movable panel from said portion (12’) of stage;- lifting movement in vertical translation of the panel (15) by means of the actuator (20) to detach it from the plane of the portion (12’) of stage (12);- folding over an end portion (15’) of the movable panel (15), normally folded below said movable panel, with said end portion (15’) rotated by means of the actuator (20) and arranged coplanar with an upper face of the panel (15) to define a single, uniform surface therewith;- movement of the movable panel (15) by means of the actuator (20) for a section in translation according to a direction opposite the extraction direction thereof;- translation downwards and positioning of the movable panel (15) in a position of coplanarity with the portions (12’) of the stage (12) in relation to which the auditorium (14) are intermediate;- drive in extraction of pins (24) comprised in the thickness of the portions (12’) of stage (12) to engage in dedicated seats formed in the thickness of the movable panel (15) to define a constraint of said movable panel with respect to said portions of stage.

8. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the variation of configuration in extraction and reinsertion of the movable panels (15) with respect to the portions (12’) of the stage (12) is automated by means of a control unit.

9. Modular area or space according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movable panels (15) comprise slits for an even distribution of the conditioned air whose distribution ducts are housed in the portion (16), with hot or cold air emission vents arranged behind the armchairs (14’) of the auditorium (14) and with said air emitted from the bottom to the top of the modular area.

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