Sympathetic and practical seating design in a historical building
Bold Tendencies – a not-for-profit arts organisation supporting community engagement through transformative cultural spaces appointed Steeldeck Rentals to deliver a bespoke seating installation for BODYSUIT, a multidisciplinary dance project.
The Project:
Bold Tendencies is celebrated for revitalising underused spaces. The organisation has brought its visionary approach to the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, a Grade II* listed building on the Thames, which is used for immersive exhibitions and groundbreaking performances.
The performance of BODYSUIT combines movement, light, sound, and environment into a liberating artistic experience. Performed on a mirrored dance floor, the show required a seating design that balanced technical precision with aesthetic ambition. Our detailed seating plan highlighted restricted-view seating areas, ensuring transparency and an optimal audience experience within the unique venue.
The Challenge:
The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station’s industrial architecture presented a significant challenge during the design and installation. The seating bank had to be custom-built to navigate the space’s prominent structural columns while optimising sightlines and maintaining audience comfort and access. This required several iterations of the design to achieve the perfect balance between functionality, safety, and visual harmony.
Our Solution:
Steeldeck Rentals worked closely with Bold Tendencies to design and install a bespoke seating structure tailored to the venue’s constraints and the client’s budget. Leveraging our experience in creating temporary seating solutions, we:
- Developed a design that integrated seamlessly around the columns while preserving the immersive atmosphere of the performance.
- Used precise measurements and modelling to ensure each iteration of the seating bank enhanced audience visibility and accessibility.
- Delivered and installed the structure with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring stability and aesthetic appeal within the historic space.
- Provided additional solutions for access into the building during the instal and de-rig for use by Steeldeck and other contractors.
Outcome:
The final installation was a testament to our creative problem-solving and technical expertise. Audiences enjoyed an unobstructed view of BODYSUIT in a setting that complemented the performance’s innovative spirit.
For more information on bespoke seating solutions, contact Steeldeck Rentals today.
BODYSUIT - Sharon Eyal and George Rouy (2024) at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. Courtesy Hannah Barry Gallery © Dan John Lloyd 
BODYSUIT - Sharon Eyal and George Rouy (2024) at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. Courtesy Hannah Barry Gallery © Dan John Lloyd 
BODYSUIT - Sharon Eyal and George Rouy (2024) at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. Courtesy Hannah Barry Gallery © Damian Griffiths 
BODYSUIT - Sharon Eyal and George Rouy (2024) at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. Courtesy Hannah Barry Gallery © Damian Griffiths