Arts, Culture & Live Entertainment
Wolverhampton Civic Halls – AV & Technical Refurbishment Project
Project Overview
Client: City of Wolverhampton Council
Main Contractor: Willmott Dixon Interiors (via Space & Place Architects)
Location: Wolverhampton, UK
Sector: Arts, Culture & Live Entertainment
Scope: Design, supply and installation of AV infrastructure, rigging systems, theatre and house lighting, and control & communications systems
Venues: Civic Hall (3,404 seats), Wulfrun Hall (1,289 seats) Plus ancillary spaces
Project Value: £1.5m AV contract delivered as part of the wider £40m refurbishment
The Challenge
The refurbishment of Wolverhampton’s iconic Civic Hall and Wulfrun Hall was about more than upgrading equipment — it was about preserving a legendary Grade II-listed venue while bringing its technical infrastructure in line with modern touring standards.
The halls have hosted world-renowned artists including Queen, David Bowie, Nirvana and AC/DC. The new systems needed to meet the expectations of today’s production professionals while ensuring long-term flexibility, scalability and reliability.
The brief was clear: deliver tour-ready audio, intelligent lighting control and fully integrated communications systems — without compromising the character or heritage of the building.
Our Solution
Tour-Grade Audio Infrastructure
Both halls were equipped with identical high-performance d&b “Rock and Roll” PA systems — an industry-recognised touring standard known for clarity, power and consistent coverage.
A Dante-enabled digital audio network underpins the system, enabling low-latency routing, seamless scalability and precise control across both venues. This ensures visiting productions can integrate quickly and efficiently, while future upgrades can be implemented without major disruption.
Integrated assistive listening systems were also installed to ensure inclusive audio provision for all audience members.
Seamless Video & Communications
A Crestron DigitalMedia AV-over-IP backbone was deployed throughout the venues, allowing flexible routing of video and presentation sources across displays and control locations.
Stage monitoring cameras and distributed intercom systems were integrated to support efficient communication between technical teams, reducing setup time and ensuring smooth event delivery.
Backstage areas were fully incorporated into the communications infrastructure, ensuring performers remain connected to stage management at all times. A premium-specification dressing room was also delivered, complete with integrated display, audio and control systems to enhance comfort and real-time event awareness for headline acts.
Intelligent Lighting & Control
Both venues were equipped with professional-grade ETC lighting consoles, ensuring familiarity for touring designers and production teams.
Architectural lighting is managed via a centralised ETC Paradigm control system, enabling intuitive scene setting, presets and venue-wide lighting transitions from touchscreen control panels.
A distributed DMX-over-network infrastructure provides extensive patching flexibility across flown bars, wall boxes and dimmer locations — supporting both in-house productions and complex touring requirements.
The Result
The Civic Hall and Wulfrun Hall have been revitalised as flagship live performance venues, combining heritage preservation with world-class technical infrastructure.
With tour-grade audio, intelligent lighting control and fully integrated communications at their core, both venues are now equipped to host the next generation of legendary performances — while honouring their rich musical legacy.
From concept to completion, the team delivered a technically outstanding system that perfectly supports world-class live performances. The attention to detail and reliability of the solution has transformed the venue experience.”