Robe Spiider luminaires arrive in Taipei

In the three main performance spaces of the Taipei Performing Arts Center (TPAC) have been installed 40 LED wash beam spotlights Robe, given its efficiency, color temperature white range and energy saving.

The spectacular Taipei performing arts center (TPAC), which houses the Grand Theater (Grand Theatre), the Globe Playhouse and the Blue Box, has recently invested in 40 focos Led wash beam Robe Spider to illuminate a wide variety of productions.

Production values ​​are high on TPAC's agenda which has around 150 full time employees, a third of whom are designated to work in various technical disciplines, including TPAC senior technical officer Yi-Ming Liu (alias Birdie), who explains that the Robe Spiider was “the most powerful and efficient solution with the best range of true color temperature whites and optimal energy savings for all types of production design”.

Sustainability was an important consideration when sourcing these moving lights, as well as multifunctionality, and this was the basis for looking for the best LED wash option. In the end they decided that the Robe Led engine offered the longevity they wanted in addition to being the smallest units., light and neat to serve your different spaces.

The Spiders, recently delivered through Robe's Asia Pacific subsidiary in Singapore, organized by local Taiwanese distributor DLHG, They will be used in the three main performance spaces in the production center.

TPAC's impressive and striking contemporary building was designed by David Gianotten and Rem Koolhaas, of the Metropolitan Architecture Office (OWN), and presents different geometric shapes that offer a total space of 50.000 square meters.

El Playhouse, with capacity for 800 personas, It is shaped like a sphere; while the Grand Theater, asymmetrically, has the capacity to 1.500 personas; and the Blue Box studio space can accommodate up to 840 people and is totally flexible.

The building is owned by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Taipei City Government and the contracting process is extremely rigorous. Knowing the type of luminaire that was needed to add to the approximately 2.000 existing generic luminaires when the TPAC was inaugurated in 2022, after a period of construction 10 years, Birdie and the lighting team created a specification for the ideal LED wash beam.

The model was identified as the most useful complement to fulfill lighting designs, in addition to saving time and personnel when facilitating productions.

“TPAC does not have in-house LDs but works with a variety of freelancers who are commissioned to light their own productions on a per-project basis and are primarily from Taiwan.. International and touring productions often bring their own lighting designers or directors. “We also needed an internationally known and respected moving light brand and Robe also met that requirement.”, explains Birdie. TPAC is the first theater facility in Taiwan to feature Robe Spiiders on the rig.

All types of staged shows are organized in these spaces., from some of the best Taiwanese dance and acting groups to theater, opera, musicals, a range from dynamic Asian co-productions to acclaimed international works, all enjoying the same levels of staging, perfection and expectation that have made TPAC a national production powerhouse.

The performance spaces are also used for commercial events, industrial, business and special, presenting constant technical challenges and offering the opportunity for creatives and technicians to learn and improve their knowledge and experience every day.

“Having Robe equipment specified for a high-profile venue like TPAC with so much potential for innovative staging and presentation that reaches engaged and enthusiastic audiences.”, “It is a great honor.”, comments Jens Poelker from Robe's Asia Pacific office. Taiwan's rich and diverse performance culture means its need for high-end lighting is ideally suited to Robe's theatrical LED product ranges., and the National Theater has also recently invested in a large number of T11 luminaires.