MVM Dome | Budapest, Hungary

MVM DOME

Budapest, Hungary

Images: Outline, BE LIGHT!, AVL Trade, Louise Strickland

OUTLINE

T

he MVM Dome is one of the largest multifunction venues in Europe and Europe’s largest handball arena. With a seating capacity of over 20,000, it was designed by famous Hungarian architect Mr. György Skardelli, built by Market PLC and handed over at the end of 2021, just in time to host the 2022 European Men’s Handball Championships. As reported on the arena’s official website, the facility boasts innovative spaces and versatility in layout arrangement as well as unique architectural features. Hungary’s largest and most modern multifunctional event hall is suitable for large-scale concerts, shows, family entertainment, corporate events and exhibitions thanks to its special building management solutions, cutting edge sound, lighting and visual technology. The brief received by audio contractor Budapest-based ZAJ Systemhouse Ltd was to ensure extremely high intelligibility, 106 dB SPL and even coverage throughout the venue, including the seating and playing field areas. The stadium’s rig comprised a total of 48 Outline Stadia enclosures (twelve ‘100-10’, twenty-six ‘100-20’ and ten ‘10030’), sixteen STSUB 215 subwoofers and a GTA (Grand Touring Amplifier) powerhouse. Tamás Fazekas, ZAJ CEO and Founder, stated: “We proposed the [Outline] Stadia rig as one of the world’s highest quality sound systems specifically engineered for stadium sound, therefore the most suitable for this project, and the company’s reputation was sufficient to ensure its acceptance without any real competition.” Two years passed from when the first design was drawn up to the definitive version and, during that period, the client’s

requirements evolved and expanded, resulting in one of the most versatile multifunction venues, as well as one of the most modern. However, thanks to the Stadia system’s flexibility and efficiency (although each cabinet appears to be a point source at first glance, in fact it is an array combining four of Outline’s famous road-proven Mantas modules in a single unit with Outline’s patented D.P.R.W.G. waveguides), expectations in terms of system performance were exceeded in spite of the change in the set-up’s format. This was also achieved thanks to Stadia’s very long throw and exceptional directional control. As on many other prestige projects, Outline’s powerful OpenArray 3D software ensured a high-precision preview of the acoustic results that were effectively obtained once the rig was in place. Fazekas enthused: “The system was very well-accepted and is working fine. We are very happy and satisfied with the sound quality and measured parameters which are truly excellent, and this project once again confirmed our belief in the supremacy of Outline audio products. “This is a very high prestige project, as the Outline system amplifies one of Europe’s largest and most modern arenas, so this reference opens the door for such large-scale projects with Outline as the manufacturer and Zaj, as designer and integrator worldwide.” As well as a venue for a wide array of indoor sporting events, the hall can also be configured to host concerts, conferences, exhibitions and trade shows, making it an important part of Budapest’s entertainment offering.

PHAROS

The building’s façade is inspired by the anatomical drawings of Michelangelo; designed to conjure up images of skeletal muscles. This striking look is enhanced at night with the clever use of dynamically changing, specially created lighting. The vibrant, flowing lines of light swirl across the entire façade, dividing the surface of the building into a variety of planes, slices and shapes. These geometric fragments then serve as windows in certain positions, while the steel cladding, which is powdercoated in two shades of grey, plays a key role in the optical resolution of the building mass. The lighting and control system has been designed, supplied and programmed by BE LIGHT! The system is unusual in its approach; with the lighting fixtures hidden in the façade’s mantle to strengthen the architectural character of the arena. BE LIGHT! were brought into the project by architects Közti Zrt, along with interior design house MCXVI Építészműterem Kft, and electrical engineers Hungaroproject Mérnökiroda Kft. BE LIGHT! chose solutions from Pharos Architectural Control to deliver dynamic control of the lighting scheme. BE LIGHT! required a DMX protocol communication system for the RGBW fixtures, assigning 11,328 digital addresses to the façade alone so the luminaires could be controlled individually. They designed a distributed control solution using multiple Pharos Designer LPCs (Lighting Playback Controllers). The compact LPCs are positioned within the façade to provide local DMX to the fixtures, and networked together to still act as one seamless, cohesive control system. A total of twenty-one LPC 1 and fifteen LPC 2 were required for the façade, and a further six networked LPC 1 were distributed inside the Dome to control the lighting in the arena and public areas. The LPC is the perfect choice for this type of installation, providing a flexible and reliable control system and allowing dynamic, precise and fully customisable pre-programmed lighting to be created. Additionally, two Pharos Designer TPS (Touch Panel Screen) units were installed so staff could override scheduled programming and directly select both the decorative lighting and the sports lighting looks at the MVM Dome. The TPS offers a customisable touch screen user interface that lets users create multiple pages of lighting controls for the Pharos Designer system. Ádám Kis, Head of Control System from BE LIGHT!, said: “The architecture of the MVM Dome is truly stunning, and we were delighted to be appointed to deliver the lighting scheme to

accentuate this. By using innovative control solutions from Pharos, we have given the venue a flexible and dynamic lighting system that can easily be adapted to suit the differing needs of the arena.” Mark de Gruyter, Regional Sales Manager for EMEA at Pharos Architectural Controls, commented: “The MVM Dome is a very impressive venue, attracting global talent across sport, entertainment and music. It is very rewarding to see Pharos solutions playing a key role in the success of their events, ensuring the arena can deliver fantastic results for the thousands of visitors attending each year.” The adjustable sports lighting is suitable for HDTV broadcasts of high-level world competitions, as well as super slow-motion recordings thanks to the flicker-free technology. The lighting system also plays an integral role in the successful staging of events and concerts, as it controls the auditorium colour temperature as well as delivering dynamic lighting. When used for a show, dynamic effects such as flashing or running light can be presented based on a pre-written programme. This also means the hall can change its function through the lighting control system, which is something of a unique solution in European venues. Since its official opening, the MVM Dome has a full line-up planned, featuring sporting events and concerts from music legends such as Tom Jones and Michael Bublé.

MVM Dome Budapest, Hungary Image: © BE LIGHT! Arena Națională Bucharest, Romania Image: © Power Electric SRL BC Place Vancouver, Canada

Pharos Architectural Controls is an award-winning British manufacturer of dynamic lighting control solutions for stadiums and other applications. Our Designer range of products is highly flexible, versatile and powerful, and trusted to run day and night illuminating installations around the world.

LPC TPS 5

272 Gunnersbury Avenue London, W4 5QB United Kingdom sales@pharoscontrols.com DOWNLOAD PRODUCT BROCHURES:

ROBE

A substantial Robe moving light rig – over 350 fixtures – was specified for the MVM Dome. The Robe lights were specified by Visual Europe Group (VEG), the building’s technical management and services specialists, working in close consultation with Budapest-based AVL Trade which supplied the fixtures. The first event staged in the spectacular looking venue was the 2022 European Men’s Handball Championship Final, won by Sweden. Most of the Robe luminaires – including 64 FORTES, 64 Tarrantulas, 64 MegaPointes, 120 Tetra2 moving LED battens and four FORTE FollowSpots together with four RoboSpot remote follow systems – will be in use in the main arena space. They were used to great effect by lighting designer, Attila Lenzser, for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Men’s EHF Euro 2022 final. Adam Nagy, Project Manager for AVL Trade, explained that the package also included 32 Robe LEDBeam 350s and 16 Robe ProMotion moving projectors which are destined for use in other parts of the building, like the extensive foyer spaces, conference suites and VIP lounges. VEG approached AVL Trade already knowing that they wanted to use Robe for the show lighting elements following excellent experiences with BMFLs and other Robe products on numerous events including the acclaimed 2017 FINA Aquatics World Championships which were staged in the Hungarian capital. Due to the high trim height of the trussing mothergrid in the

BOLERO

THE STATE-OF-THE-ART WIRELESS INTERCOM SYSTEM FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT SPORTS PRODUCTION

ENHANCED WORKFLOWS FOR SORTS PRODUCTION

• Operates standalone or integrated in digital matrix intercom systems • Up to 250 Beltpacks and 100 Antennas in a network • 10 beltpacks per antenna • Patented ADR (Advanced DECT receiver) technology for an unrivaled radio performance • Fast and Secure NFC (Near Field Communication) and OTA (Over The Air) beltpack registration • Bluetooth support for bluetooth headset or smartphone connectivity • Standard AES67 IP network, CAT5 daisy chain or redundant ring antenna network • Redundant antenna power

MVM Dome’s roof, they needed the most powerful fixtures available, and chose FORTES, Robe’s massively bright, new gen LED TE technology luminaire, launched last year for stadium and large venue / event applications. Unique to Robe, the TE (TRANSFERABLE ENGINE) is a powerful, intelligent, and eco-friendly lighting solution enabling different engines – high powered, high CRI, ‘tungsten’ etc., – to be used in the same fixtures. The engines can be changed quickly and easily in five to seven minutes. The MVM Dome lighting spec featured as much LED as possible for all the obvious reasons including to be as sustainable as possible and to minimise running costs, but an exception was made for MegaPointes, arguably the most popular multipurpose effects moving light worldwide. “MegaPointes were an absolute ‘must have’,” explained Adam. “They were a non-negotiable part of the spec!” The show rig is designed to be movable and adaptable within the arena, with enough dynamic units for all incoming concerts / music shows and other performance productions, so they can use the house rig as often as possible. The lights were all delivered at the end of 2021 and installed ready for action at the Men’s Handball Championship in January. Challenges included “meeting all the deadlines and working within pandemic rules and regulations,” commented Adam, adding that the timing of the decision to add a complete show lighting rig for the venue made the schedule super-tight. “We booked the fixtures immediately after we received the confirmation and collaborated closely with VEG and Robe’s sales and technical teams – who were amazing – to make it happen,” elucidated Adam. Visual Europe Group has over 20 years’ experience in technical design and implementation of AV for high-volume and high-profile events. Their CEO, Szabolcs Botond, commented: “To implement the lighting technology for the European Handball Championship 2022, our company found these Robes to be the best for our customer, and in cooperation with AVL Trade, we were able to provide the MVM Arena with a futureproof lighting solution and equipment. “The successful European Handball Championship hugely satisfied everyone involved which proved we made the right choice and provided the best solution for our customer’s needs.” Attila was delighted to be the first person to light a show in the new venue and use all the new Robe lights, having been asked onboard for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies after working with the organisers on several other events including those FINA opening and closing shows. The FORTES proved fantastic for gobo’ing the entire arena floor and as the main lights; the Tarrantulas washed the audience areas plus the main arena, while the MegaPointes and Tetra2s were installed on the top trusses all around the ceiling of the arena, following its oval-shaped space. For the Opening Ceremony, some of Tetra2s were also used around the floor. The biggest lighting challenge for both OC and CC events was the compressed timeframe available for the creative teams to work their magic, as all their rigging, programming, blocking, and rehearsing had to dovetail with games and the regular team practices as well as the protocol rehearsals, related to both covid and working in a brand-new venue! However, the results – broadcast live – were eye catching and spectacular, helping to ramp up the excitement and anticipation. Attila has used Robe products in his work for many years, but this was the first time he had used FORTES. “It is a great fixture in every aspect – fast and strong – and I totally enjoyed working with them. I think I have a new favourite!” Robe’s CEO Josef Valchar concluded: “It is fantastic to see a project specification like this come to fruition so quickly and positively in spite of all the challenges. We are extremely proud to have a Robe house rig in this very prestigious and beautifully designed new venue, and look forward to seeing many lighting professionals enjoy using some of our latest technologies for a busy schedule of spectacular concerts and sporting events.”

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