Case Study

Second Stage Theatre

Introduction

A Proposal Gels...

The audience attending any Second Stage Theatre's production is grateful that the architects chose to take the challenge of seating to a newer, unbelievable more comfortable level. Could a material deliver greater comfort?

Case Study

While the use of gel is increasingly more common in high-tech bicycle saddles, public seating often lags in its use of innovative materials.

Elizabeth Rexrode, project architect in the office of Gluckman Mayner, was partners with Rem Koolhaas in the design of this theater. Rexrode came to Material ConneXion along with the theater's artistic director. Together they explored unusual solutions to the theater's unusual seating problem. A product from an Italian firm, Royal Medica demonstrated great potential.

The Gel, which is a Bayer ag product licensed by Royal Medica, has been adapted for wheelchair seating, a Philippe Starck hairdresser's chair, horse saddles, shoe insoles, as well as the better-known bike saddles. The challenge of Gluckman Mayner would also need to address American smoke and flammability codes.

The first hurdle was that all of the encasement materials previously used were too flammable, too likely to smoke. The second hurdle: The architects wanted a transparent surface to feature the very "jellyness" of the gel itself.

Conclusion

Though neither Gluckman Mayner nort Royal Medica could find a surfacing material that would work and meet the codes, Material ConneXion's custom research department uncovered a visible new surface material that bonds perfectly, is absorption resistant and has a low flammability and smoke rating. The new material is also beautifully translucent.

Royal Medica, with the Material ConneXion solution, can now market its product more widely, meeting the fire safety standards of the U.S. Gluckman Mayner has added another satisfied client to its roster and Material ConneXion continues to serve a growing demand in the material marketplace.