The innovative new stage concept for Adele's 25 album tour was created in response to a demanding and specific design brief. An efficient and elegant structural solution was developed with sustainable legacy use at its heart. Working closely with client, Star Events, OPS designed several bespoke features for the new stage that enabled the structure to reach beyond previous bounds of stadium stage touring ‘in-the-round’. The design response focussed on minimising working at height, creating unobstructed views by negating traditional bracing, and facilitating containerised transportation.
The Adele 25 Stage exposes and celebrates the role of the structural engineer to the public through its use as a performance venue for several concerts throughout Australasia. This tall and significant structure has arrived out of many different drivers and constraints and provides largely unobstructed views through exclusion of traditional bracing.
Tall unbraced structures such as this one require careful consideration for stability design, especially when they are erected quickly and in many different locations. The engineering took account of the vast constraints and design drivers to produce a safe, efficient, elegant and reusable structure. The adaptability in its design allows it to be used in different countries, taking account of change in environments, multiple design code requirements and variable foundation and support conditions. It is also designed to be easily transportable and reusable, and easy and fast to construct, which allows for repeat use and therefore minimises costs.