WSDG has completed the acoustic and AV technology design for Billionaire St. Moritz, a new dinner show and clubbing venue connected to the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in Switzerland.
The project transformed the former Casino St. Moritz into an entertainment space capable of hosting high-level live performances while preventing sound transmission into neighbouring hotel accommodation.
WSDG worked with system integrator Bild+Ton, Divercity Architects and local architect Arion von Meiss. Its scope covered structural isolation acoustics, room acoustics and electroacoustic design.
A key challenge was achieving sufficient isolation for a venue expected to handle programme material ranging from vocals to high-level drum and bass while remaining directly connected to the hotel.
WSDG addressed this with a room-within-room construction built around a new reinforced concrete shell. The isolation system was tuned to low frequencies using techniques drawn from recording studio construction.
“The comprehensive acoustic treatment required a sophisticated room-within-room construction solution,” said Gabriel Hauser, senior partner and director of acoustics at WSDG.
“To achieve the required sound isolation, we designed a system with decoupling tuned to very low frequencies, a technique borrowed from our many years of experience in recording studio construction and applied to this hospitality venue.”
The design incorporates 25cm isolation layers on the walls and ceiling. Existing windows were reinforced with 22mm-thick inner glass panes to achieve isolation performance comparable with the surrounding gypsum construction.
Multiple layers of acoustic material were used in the ceiling, while decoupled rigging points connect directly to the concrete structure to accommodate aerial performances.
Knauf’s Cocoon team developed a supporting steel structure for the extensive gypsum construction, while retaining an additional inner installation layer for cabling and other infrastructure.
The double-height performance space includes a VIP balcony and proscenium stage incorporating a 35 sq m Aoto LED wall with greater than 4K pixel resolution.
Stacked Epson projectors provide holographic projection capability, while a d&b audio system is integrated throughout the venue.
Venue control is based around a Crestron system, with a Yamaha audio mixing console supporting live operation. The installation also includes 34 JB-Lighting spotlights and Sennheiser wireless microphones, with control available from touch panels.
The AV infrastructure has been designed to accommodate changes and additions for future performances.
According to WSDG, the combination of structural isolation, room acoustics and electroacoustic design allows Billionaire St. Moritz to operate throughout the day and night while maintaining the acoustic conditions expected within the adjoining hotel.
“Our guests enjoy an unforgettable experience at the highest level,” said Raimund Kirchleitner, CEO of St. Moritz Bäder.
Hauser added: “Delivering a venue of this calibre, where exceptional sound and the tranquillity of the hotel can coexist, has been a real privilege for our team.”