Freedom of Travel

Retractable seating platforms don’t just open and close! Some can also be driven from place to place – and now they can be made steerable through 360 degrees, giving more functionality and flexibility than ever before.  

Travelling retractable systems have been a popular choice for many years. Fitted with motors (which are also used to open and close the platforms), they can be driven to different locations in the venue at the touch of a button.

Our original travelling systems could be driven forwards or backwards only. For many venues this is still a great option, allowing them to tuck the seating bank well out of the way when it’s closed – as in the example below. These type of travelling systems are also commonly found in sports halls, allowing the seating to be moved forwards or back to accommodate different sized courts.

An example of a travelling retractable system open and closed at Katittavik Town Hall, Kuujjaaq, Canada. Driving the closed seating to the back of the recess under the balcony opens up extra space in the hall.

Now, however, Audience Systems can also provide travelling retractable units with a little more muscle. Our fully flexible travelling units are fitted with a motor at either end. Each motor can be controlled separately, giving operators the ability to rotate and drive the seating to any number of different locations.

These steerable travelling retractable units can be large too, with extra support structure at the rear of the closed providing stability. The video below shows an example at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney; the seating unit is a full 17 rows tall.

The flexibility of the seating means that these six layouts, and more, are possible. On the right of each layout is a fixed retractable unit, and all the other seating is made up of steerable travelling units. In some of the layouts, the fixed unit is completely closed away, and travelling units only are used to create an intimate theatre layout.

Flexibility is the key – both in the seating we design and in our approach to finding the very best seating solution for our clients. Contact us to find out how we can help you make your seating something truly remarkable.

The project at Hordern Pavilion was completed in conjunction with our experienced local partners Maxwood Technology.