The Estação das Artes is part of the Júlio Prestes Cultural Complex, home of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra.

This stunning multifuctional space in central São Paulowill be used for music, jazz, dance, and theater performances.

The project was led by architect Nelson Dupré, who also oversaw the renovation of the Sala São Paulo, the orchestra’s primary performance space. His challenge was to create an auditoriumfor 550 people without fixing anything to the fabric of the building – a restriction brought on by the building’s heritage status. Audience Systems supplied this “travelling” retractable unit, the first of its kind in Brazil, and an impressive 21 rows tall. The structure is not only self-supporting, it can also be “steered” at the touch of a button to different locations in the room to suit different event layouts.

The seating is finished to a very high standard as befits the historic venue, with decorative real wood veneers on the seat pans, solid beech armrests, and a palette of warm natural shades for the upholstery. In front of the retractable bank of seating, matching “Matrix” chairs (not shown in these photographs) can be quickly laid out to add capacity.