Technical Design Solutions for Theatre

Fabric Hinges for Space Frame Flats

Richard Gold

For a 2000 production of Curse of the Staruing Class, the technical design team adopted an old construction technique to enhance our use of the space frame flat. The design called for a set of leno-scrim flats that met at outside corners. We were concerned that the subtle watercolor-style painting technique and the nature of the material would result in an imperfect joint. After considering various methods of joining the space frames, we concluded that a fabric hinge could be incorporated into the space frame construction. Thus, the scenic artists could paint the leno-scrim as a single piece, and the two flats could be assembled and covered as one unit at load-in.

FIGURE 1: CURSE OF THE S