MAGAZINE 62

ENGLISH EDITION

BBK corporate meeting room, Bilbao, Spain

Multipurpose halls
The new way to use space

BBK corporate meeting room

Convention Centre Dublin

Edward Jones, USA

The MUTAFLEX SYSTEM: a classic

updated with the latest technology

The worlds first sustainable

convention centre

MUTAMUT SYSTEM by Figueras

installed in the United States

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BBK corporate meeting room, Bilbao, Spain

The MUTAFLEX SYSTEM by

Figueras: a classic updated with
the latest technology
The historic Gran Va Theatre-Cinema in Bilbao (Spain) has been rescued from
oblivion by BBK (Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa, a savings bank based in the Basque Country),
which opted to make the space its new corporate meeting room without erasing
the signs of its original use. To achieve this, BBK chose a proposal by architect
Daniel Freixes and Varis Arquitectes that creates a multipurpose hall based on
the innovative MUTAFLEX system developed by Figueras.

With this innovative system, chairs

move along floor rails and are stored
under the stage. The whole process
takes just minutes

The restoration design maintains some of the ornamental elements of the historic
theatre, including the moulding, marble work, mirrors, and the front of the stage,
which was conserved but also enlarged to 125 m2 to turn it into a modern
multipurpose space that can accommodate events and performances of all types.
The character of the hall is defined by the contrast between its classic all-white
dcor and the state-of-the-art technology applied in the movable seats, all of which
are upholstered in black velvet.

they have moved together for storage were installed in front of the stage (one for
each block). The platforms are lowered by 10 cm to make room for the height of
the chairs without the need for a movable stage.
The amphitheatre intended as a space for holding small meetings or events in
an area separate from the rest of the hall was also outfitted with a chair from the
FLEX line to ensure a consistent look in the space.

The hall has a total capacity of 433 places. The MUTAFLEX system installed in the
stalls area consists of two blocks, each made up of 150 retractable seats. With this
innovative system, chairs move along floor rails to be stored under the stage when
the space needs to be cleared. The whole process takes just minutes. For this
project, two movable platforms with the capacity to hold all the seating rows once

LINKS

http://www.bbk.es
https://portal.bbk.es

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Sequence of Mutamut system installed in the corporate room BBK.

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Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland

Worlds first sustainable convention

centre in Dublin

Image of the spectacular faade of the building, near the bridge by Calatrava.

The new Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) designed by Kevin Roche, John
Dinkeloo and Associates LLC, and built by Treasury Holdings Limited and John
Sisk & Son Limited (who set up a joint venture for this project) is a new and
inspiring way of conceiving a space for conferences and cultural events. Figueras
has made a small but important contribution to this massive project by outfitting the
main auditorium.
The building, located on the Spencer Dock, features a cutting-edge design based
on a stunning glass cylinder that skewers the building from top to bottom, emerging
to form a spectacular glass atrium. The CCD, with a 2000-seat auditorium and 4500
m2 of exhibition space, is recognized as the worlds first carbon neutral convention
centre and meets the highest standards of environmental sustainability. In the
selection of construction processes and materials, the focus was on choosing the
most ecological alternatives available.

The challenge in configuring the auditorium

was to deliver the multifunctionality needed
to accommodate the diverse range of events
that would take place there
The challenge in configuring the auditorium was to deliver the multifunctionality
needed to accommodate the diverse range of events that would take place there,
from corporate conventions to world-class concerts. Chairs and tables can be
quickly removed to create a raised stage for an orchestra, and just as easily put
back when the performance is over. The generously dimensioned Megaseat used
for this installation features a fire barrier and an acoustic absorption system that
optimizes acoustics for crystal-clear sound. Combined with the F-45 foldaway work
table, it is the perfect solution for conferences and lengthy sessions.

The Megaseat and the F45 table together form a comfortable individual workspace.

LINKS

www.krjda.com
www.theccd.ie

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Detail of the buildings interior.

Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo

and Associates LLC
Kevin Roche is one of Irelands most acclaimed architects. Born in Dublin,
Roche received a Bachelor of Architecture from the National University
of Ireland in 1945. After gaining professional experience in Dublin with
Michael Scott and in London with Maxwell Fry, Kevin decided to move
to the United States in 1948. Currently based in Connecticut, USA,
Kevin has won innumerable awards for his designs of over 300 buildings
around the world. In 1982, he was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize,
architectures equivalent to the Nobel Prize. Some of his most notable
projects are the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Oakland
Museum, the UN Plaza, and the Ford Foundation headquarters in New
York.

The CCD design is end-user driven and has

emerged as an iconic building on the banks of
the River Liffey
The CCD is the first Irish building he has designed. Over the last decade
Roche, a master architect with incredible attention to detail, has designed
every facet of the building right down to the door handles. The CCD
design is end-user driven and has emerged as an iconic building on
the banks of the River Liffey. It has an impressive 55-metre high glass
atrium that offers guests interesting views across the Dublin skyline to the
Wicklow mountains.
Architecture is an achievement that comes from the commitment of the
owner and the understanding of the architect. Together these factors lead
to a response that addresses not only immediate requirements but also
to the broader concerns of the community, the accommodation of the
natural and cultural environment, and the belief that the final responsibility
is not only to the user and the community, but ultimately to posterity.

Layout of the auditorium.

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Heineken Tower Stage, Bratislava, Eslovaquia

Alicante City Hall, Spain

Multifunctional space
for the performing arts

Modern facility with the

Microlyon chair

Budovy Tower 115, located in the financial district of Bratislava (Slovakia) on

the banks of the Danube River, includes a multifunctional space for all types of
theatre, dance, and other performing arts events. Jan Durovcik, the mentor and
co-owner of the theatre, is a renowned Slovak choreographer and director whose
goal was to provide the city with a permanent venue for dance events.
The hall is outfitted with 372 Delta chairs by Figueras that offer the multifunctionality
needed in a space of this kind, which can also be rented for private events.

The Alicante City Council recently renewed the auditorium used by its local tax
department by installing Figueras Microlyon chair. The 154-seat auditorium is used
for meetings and events of all types organized by the department.

Barcelona, Espaa

Barcelona, Espaa

R.C.D. Espanyol

T1 Barcelona International Airport

Voted best sports venue

of the year by the SBA

T1 terminal helps Barcelona

win Best Airport Award

The Cornell-El Prat Stadium, home to RCD Espanyol, has won the 2010 Stadium
Business Award for Venue of the Year. The SBA awards are given each year by
Guinness and the website StadiumBusiness.com.

Barcelona Airport has been recognized by the ACI (Airport Council International)
as Europes best airport in the over 25 million passengers category.

The judging panel was impressed by the way the stadium has become a model
facility, not only as a venue for football matches, but also as a multipurpose space
for staging large-scale shows. The focus on quality and environmental awareness
that guided the construction process and the cost-effectiveness of the project
for supporters also contributed to the selection of the RCD Espanyol Stadium.
Figueras is proud of its contribution to the 2010 venue of the year. The firm was
responsible for the complete installation of seating in the various areas, including
the presidential box, the main stands, VIP boxes, the press area, and even the
players bench. Each space was outfitted with a model suited to its specific use
and designed to deliver maximum functionality and user comfort.

The jury took a positive view of service quality at the airport, the range of commercial
services, and security. Another key factor in their decision was the added value
delivered by the T1 terminal, which is based on an innovative design aimed at
meeting the needs of passengers and companies through the use of state-ofthe-art technology. The Mauro bench installed by Figueras at the T1 terminal
is a model that reflects the modern character of the airport. A design based on
smooth lines gives the Mauro bench a strong aesthetic appeal without giving up
maximum comfort and durability. The flexible seat is ergonomically contoured to
ensure optimal comfort for occupants.

LINKS

LINKS

http://www.stadiumbusinessawards.com

http://www.airports.org

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Edward Jones corporate meeting room, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

MUTAMUT SYSTEM by Figueras

installed in the United States
The financial services firm Edward Jones has installed the Mutamut system by
Figueras in the auditorium of its new headquarters in St. Louis (Missouri, USA),
designed by Arcturis Architecture. Since inaugurating the new meeting room,
Edward Jones has significantly increased the number of meetings and events of
all types it organizes, including both internal activities like training courses, and
external ones, such as product presentations and conferences.
The installation comprises an auditorium and a training facility. The auditorium is
outfitted with nearly 600 Flex model chairs, together with F45 and F1000 individual
tables, and the training facility where the Mutamut system is installed, with 600
chairs equipped with F45 tables and arranged in four blocks. With the Mutamut
system, developed by Figueras, chairs move along floor rails and disappear under
the stage. The system makes it simple to change the distribution of seating or
convert a seating area into an open space. The individual tables are attached to
the support rail for the system, except in the case of the first row, where they are
attached to the floor using a special rail and quick anchoring system.

Since inaugurating the new meeting room,

Edward Jones has significantly increased the
number of meetings and events of all types it
organizes
The Mutamut system is a comprehensive engineering solution developed by
Figueras Engineering & Consulting for smart and multiuse spaces. It is the ideal
solution to optimize spaces and deliver profitability. Figueras has installed its
innovative systems in over 300 multipurpose rooms and halls worldwide, including
the Palais de la Mutualit in Paris, Samsungs corporate meeting room in Korea, and
the Palau de la Msica Catalana in Barcelona (Spain). More recently, the Mutaflex
system was installed in the corporate meeting room of BBK in Bilbao (Spain).
LINKS

http://www.edwardjones.com
http://www.arcturis.com

Sequence of steps in the transformation of a hall using the Mutamut system.

Interview with Jodi Gay, Edward Jones General Partner, Facilities

We (Edward Jones) applied our buy-and-hold strategy
to our newly constructed facilities. Early in the design
process, we conducted extensive research to identify
the type of seating to be installed in both our St. Louis
corporate headquarter auditorium and training facility.
We selected the Figueras Flex seating for the former and
the Mutamut for the latter. Both are the perfect solution aesthetically pleasing, durable and cost effective.
1. Brief explanation about Edward Jones. Activity
and philosophy.
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual
investors in the United States and, through its affiliate,
in Canada. Every aspect of the firms business, from
the types of investment options offered to the location
of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual
investors in the communities in which they live and work.
The firms 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly
with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal
goals - from college savings to retirement - and create
long-term investment solutions that emphasize a wellbalanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward
Jones embraces the importance of building long-term,
face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to
understand and make sense of the investment options
available today.

2. Edward Jones is an exemplary company in the

USA focused on its clients and collaborators. How
does this philosophy gets reflected on the use of
its new facilities?
(Meaning which are the auditorium uses)
The auditorium is used for corporate functions and
frequently for charitable events. We give back to the
communities in which we serve.
3. How is your experience in terms of functionality
of the Mutamut movable seating system? Which
are the advantages compared to a fix seating
auditorium?
The Mutamut has many advantages over a fixed seat
auditorium, namely, greater flexibility to accommodate
corporate meetings, training classes and social
functions.

The individual tables are attached to the support rail for the system,
except in the case of the first row, where they are attached to the
floor using a special rail and quick anchoring system.

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MicroFlex

Less is more
by Figueras

HEADQUARTERS
& FACTORY

08186 Lli dAmunt

Barcelona (Spain)
Tel. +34 938 445 050
Fax +34 938 445 070
info@figueras.com
www.figueras.com

News_62_eng.indd 8

Design and comfort

Optimization of space
Synchronized tip-up of seat and backrest
Soft tip-up system

FIGUERAS
BARCELONA

FIGUERAS
MADRID

FIGUERAS
FRANCE (Paris)

FIGUERAS UK
(London)

FIGUERAS
DEUTSCHLAND (Kln)

FIGUERAS
PORTUGAL (Lisboa)

FIGUERAS
SEATING USA (Miami)

FIGUERAS
SEATING ASIA (Singapore)

Tel. +34 934 580 262

Fax +34 932 076 849
barcelona@figueras.com

Tel. +34 914 112 508

Fax +34 915 628 193
madrid@figueras.com

Tel. (33) 1-43 42 26 26

Fax (33) 1-43 42 44 22
info@figueras.fr
www.figueras.fr

Mobile (44) 797 08 10 275

info@figuerasuk.com
www.figuerasuk.com

Tel. 49-221 430 2811

Fax 49-221 430 2813
info@figueras.de
www.figueras.de

Tel. 351-(21) 751 01 90

Fax 351-(21) 759 87 93
info@figueras.pt
www.figueras.pt

Phone 1-786 331 9433

Fax 1-786 331 9434
info@figueras-usa.com
www.figueras-usa.com

Phone +65 6514 4154

Fax:+65 6258 2154
info@figuerasasia.com
www.figuerasasia.com

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