There is no lull in London’s event schedule. From consumer technology show floors at ExCeL London to the massive outdoors stage of Hyde Park, there is virtually no break in London’s event schedule, which includes everything from trade shows/expos and corporate showcases to festivals and public gathering events. The sheer number of events each year has caused the demand for available space to exceed what static venues alone can provide and as such, the venues providing these types of services are changing to meet the increasing demand for flexible venue solutions.
A Market Under Extreme Structural Pressure
As reported by the International Congress and Convention Association, London ranks as one of the top three cities in Europe for Business events. Over 500 international meetings/conferences/trade shows were held in London during 2023 alone, attracting over 150 different countries. When festival/seasonal events, corporate branded activation and outdoor concerts are included in that total, it becomes apparent that the amount of usable event space needed exceeds what any static venue can supply.
Engineered event structures are being used to fill that void. Modular/temporary structures may be constructed in excess of multiple thousands of square feet, may be assembled/decommissioned in just a few days and will meet all applicable codes for structural safety for temporary/demountable structures. As such, they provide an advantage to event planners who operate with limited time and varied site conditions compared to static venues.
Temporary Structural Systems in Practice
Temporary structural systems are not “one size fits all.” There are numerous engineering factors that dictate whether a system will work at a particular location including bearing capacity of the ground, wind load ratings/snow load ratings, flooring specification and allowable column span. Typically, structural engineers are engaged early in the planning process to ensure technical drawings are submitted to local government authorities (as part of the license application) to facilitate approval prior to installation of the temporary structural system.
For reasons related to both strength-to-weight ratio and ease of modular expansion, aluminum and steel frame systems dominate the market. In addition, many temporary structural systems are designed so that a structure initially designed for 500 people may be expanded either laterally or vertically to accommodate greater numbers without a complete re-design. This ability to expand and/or contract is particularly important for exhibitions/trade shows where exhibitor numbers and exhibit layout frequently changes between the time the event was booked and the actual date of the event.
Companies such as Spantech International specialize in designing structural systems specific to the needs of entertainment/festivals/expo environments. These companies’ products are based on proven performance standards rather than aesthetic customization and thus are critical when permitting for events depend upon documentation of structural compliance.
An Environmental Case for Temporary Infrastructure
The event industry in London contributes approximately £70 billion annually to the U.K. economy per annum. That same industry also produces significant amounts of materials waste from single use staging/set builds and construction debris generated from temporary installations. To help meet the Greater London Authority’s Greener City commitment, which requires large outdoor events to significantly reduce construction waste and decrease carbon output across their operational footprint, some modular structural systems incorporate solar ready roof panel options, energy efficient LED track lighting options and on-site water management. By doing so, event organizers can generate measurable environmental impact reports, a necessity that is becoming common place for large outdoor events taking place in central London.