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Opera House is ideal stage for Panasonic

UK: Panasonic air conditioning is now helping create the right atmosphere at the recently renovated Belfast Grand Opera House.

Built in 1895, the Belfast Grand Opera House is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic theatres. It was designed by renowned English architect Frank Matcham, who specialised in the design of theatres and music halls. 

With a seating capacity for 1,063, the space requires high-performing air conditioning solutions to ensure visitors can fully enjoy the experience with comfort. To meet this challenge, Belfast-based contractor Aircon Sales & Service installed Panasonic air conditioning solutions in the main auditorium, the baby grand studio and the bar areas. In addition, a Panasonic hi-wall split unit, incorporating its nanoe X air cleaning technology, was also installed in the front of house office.

The two existing air handling units were fully refurbished with a total cooling capacity of 230kW, while the main auditorium utilised four 35kW Panasonic 2-pipe ECOi outdoor units.

Furthermore, the baby grand studio utilised two of Panasonic’s 25kW Big PACi condensers. All six Panasonic condensers and AHU kits were piped to new DX cooling coils supplied and installed by Aircon Sales & Services.

Connor Rooney, director at Aircon Sales & Service has worked with Panasonic for over 10 years on numerous high-profile projects. Of the Belfast Grand Opera House project, Aircon director Connor Rooney said: “While initially put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic, once we got going late last year, it went seamlessly and we handed over the fully commissioned solution a few months later.”

Panasonic Heating & Cooling Ireland national manager Vincent Mahony admitted that the project had been “a big task” but was delighted that Panasonic had been able to help restore the iconic building. 

“With the world opening back up, it’s great to know that our solutions are helping the overall theatre experience get back after so long away,” he said.

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