Storage Solutions for Opera Houses, Theatres & Performance Venues
Safe, organised storage for sets, props, and scenery between performances — built for objects that don't fit any conventional storage logic
Storage & racking systems for scenery, stage sets
Stages sets and scenery create one of the most awkward storage challenges for any venue. They're often difficult to handle, cumbersome in size and shape, may be fragile in certain areas, and need to be able to perform again flawlessly after being put into storage for several years. It can be a special requirement for the theatre companies, opera venues and arts centres of Ireland, to find storage facilities which take all of these needs into account, and use space efficiently.
OHRA has an excellent record of installing bespoke storage systems for opera houses, theatres and other venues of the performing arts throughout Europe - including such prestigious venues as the Zurich Opera House and the Staatstheater Stuttgart. Specialising in the design of storage solutions for scenery, props and theatrical equipment, the company offers its clients in Ireland expertise in solving theatre and opera specific storage problems.
The best known method of storing stage scenery in European theatres and opera houses is cantilever racking, and the reasons why should be obvious – the system allows to double your scenery storage capacity when compared to traditional shelving systems, while maintaining maximum security and accessability when an item needs to be withdrawn from the storage.
Variable OHRA cantilever racks with arm connectors can provide additional storage depth of up to 2.5 metres beyond a normal configuration – and depending on the height of your storage area, will allow to add from five to six extra storage tiers within the same space area. When storage capacity is of paramount importance for an Irish venue due to the space constraints or lack of room expansion possibilities, it can mean the difference between storing your entire back catalogue of scenery, or discarding scenery that could otherwise be reused for future production.
Mobile Racking for Maximum Capacity in a Confined Space
For those clients who have space constraints in their storage facilities, mobile storage racking will provide another option for doubling the storage capacity – as well as increased security of your stored items. OHRA's trolley-mounted cantilever racks – already installed in such prestigious venues as the Zurich Opera and the Staatstheater Stuttgart – double existing storage capacity compared to traditional stationary racking systems by eliminating permanently occupied storage aisles in between racks.
Using remote-controlled racks allows to open the aisle only when needed – either for retrieving or placing back into storage a particular item, while keeping your installation packed and fully utilised when not in use. In case your Irish theatre, opera house, arts centre or performing venue has no space for extension, mobile racking can help save enough space to accommodate your scenic elements.
Mezzanine Floors for Props, Costumes, and Smaller Scenic Elements
By adding an extra floor level above an existing storage area, you'll be able to use the vertical space you previously had unused to store more scenery accessories, prop materials, costumes or even lighting accessories. OHRA's mezzanine floors can be built up to five levels in height, with stairs and grating or wooden treads and screw-fixed handrails and knee rail balustrades included as standard.
Each floor can be designed to meet specific needs in terms of load and type of material that needs to be stored – giving your Irish venue an opportunity to accommodate items such as lightweight costume racks as well as heavy pieces of furniture, etc., in a single storage facility.
Pallet racking
In addition to mezzanine floors, your venue will benefit from the use of pallet racks and wide-span racks – suitable for storing heavy items like set pieces or large pieces of equipment. Whereas wide span racks are designed to store relatively light, bulky objects, OHRA's pallet racks feature widths of up to 4,000 mm – suitable for very heavy items.
All OHRA's pallet racks are safety-tested and certified for compliance with storage equipment standards – an important factor to consider in the backstage storage area, where staff needs to handle heavy, potentially fragile objects.
Vertical Storage for Workshop and Production Areas
Designed to store heavy, bulky objects or items of variable size, OHRA vertical racks are the solution of choice in your scenic workshop or production area. Materials such as timber off-cuts and other material used for set construction and scenery manufacture will be easy to keep in storage and retrieve quickly, without disturbing other items in your workshop.
Our work - within the opera & theatre world
