Eisteddfod challenge shows versatility of temporary structures

Structure specialist De Boer overcame a succession of logistical challenges as it created a stunning temporary venue for the world-famous National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Performance space
The company's facilities at the celebrated festival of music, literature and performance provided space for the likes of X Factor favourite Rhydian Roberts, the stars of London’s West End, the Welsh Chamber Orchestra... and Will Young.

Spectacular Pink Galaxy
The assignment, on a disused steelworks at Ebbw Vale, called on De Boer to supply around 60 separate structures – including its spectacular Pink Galaxy as the event’s main arena – and to work on a site with a large number of obstacles.

Challenging environment
A range of original steelworks buildings have been retained on the site for potential future use, while the pinning down of De Boer’s temporary facilities was made more challenging by the compacted stone and concrete surface. 

Temporary art gallery
One of the greatest challenges was presented by a huge concrete bunker, measuring 57 metres by 17 metres and reaching a height of seven metres. De Boer managed to cover the building with an A-frame structure measuring 60 metres by 20 metres, enabling the internal space to be converted into a temporary art gallery.

Huge logistical issues
Alan Gwynant, the National Eisteddfod of Wales’ Technical Director, said: “Incorporating the bunker into the site posed a huge logistical problem. We had never attempted anything like it before, and neither had De Boer. When we saw the bunker we were really keen to make use of it. It already had a mezzanine level on two sides which lent itself to use as an art gallery.”

Outstanding teamwork
Alan praised the festival organisers’ longstanding teamwork with De Boer. “We get on extremely well with De Boer and have an excellent working relationship,” he said. “We’re aware that whenever issues or challenges emerge we’re able to talk them through.”

Concerts and exhibitions
This year’s Eisteddfod, which attracted many thousands of visitors to Ebbw Vale in south-east Wales, featured its traditional mix of concerts, exhibitions, ceremonies, poetry, drama, sport and competitions. Musical performers ranged from Tredegar Brass Band to X Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts and from the BBC Wales Chorus and Welsh Chamber Orchestra to stars of hit West End shows including Les Miserables, Oklahoma and Phantom of the Opera. 

Widely used venue
The Eisteddfod’s organisers were also encouraged to make the venues more widely available for other users each side of the festival – resulting in the huge Pink Galaxy being used by 500 local performers for a community play in the run-up to the opening day and for a sell-out gig by pop star Will Young the day after the Eisteddfod’s closing concert.

A-frames, Chalets and the Olympia
The structures De Boer built for the event included: A-frame, Chalet, Acropolis, Walkway, Olympia and Pink Galaxy. These facilities were used as competition venues, theatre, exhibition space, youth tent and performers’ areas.