Valhalla Tensile 1
The largest portable event venue in the world.
Image copyright kayam.co.uk
Client For Rental / Gearhouse Structures PLC
Location Various
Year from 1997
Rudi Enos designed the Valhalla as the largest of his 1990’s portable membrane structures. Named after the Norse fables’ Hall of the Gods, it was intended to be the largest portable structure ever built available for hire. At 12,600m2, it is closely followed by the Kayam (10,490m2) and the MT66 MegaDome (8,800m2). By any standards these are the largest portable structures ever used for major events.
All sizes quoted are for the perimeter of the roof profile when seen in plan view.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla (Old Norse Valhöll) was the majestic hall of slain warriors, presided over by the god Odin, principal god of the Vikings. This hosted these Einherjar, warrior souls who had died a courageous death in battle. The largest building in Asgard, heavenly home of the gods, Valhalla constituted one of its 12 realms, its cavernous interior playing host to Viking heroes awaiting Ragnarök; final battle of the world. This legendary building provided rich inspiration for the very real Valhalla project.
The Valhalla portable membrane structure is simply staggering. This structure uses unique methods of design, manufacture and installation to achieve the project aims of devising a large-scale portable structure which could house the same events as a permanent arena. Conceived and designed to provide the same sense of wonder to all who enter for the first time, as that original building of Asgard, the proportions of the Valhalla structure do not shame the legend. It is 86m wide, 160m long and 25m high / 282ft x 600ft x 82ft - 106m x 180m / 347ft x 590ft to the main anchors. The Valhalla membrane structure as conceived is, simply put, the largest practical mobile membrane structure ever built, that also has the ability to be moved quickly.
In 2000, Tensile 1 received The Guinness Book of Records’ World Record for ‘Largest Portable Event Venue’.
Valhalla interior, Soul Survivor Youth Festival
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The structure was used for the first time on New Year’s Eve 1999 as 2000GC, Gatecrasher’s epic millennium bash. It became the largest indoor celebration in the UK for the new millennium, by accommodating approximately 32,000 people inside the structure together with staging, light and sound equipment. The hire cost was £400,000 for the one-night event. Production costs ran into the millions. 90% of the set and effects were suspended from the structure with a total flown load of 40 tonnes, including the DJ booths, suspended above the partygoers. Gatecrasher promoter Simon Raine's aim was to put “ten years of promoting parties, ten years of production knowledge and ten years of contacts into one very special night”. The hashtag #itwillalwaysbewithyou continues still.
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In 2001, Victoria’s Secret staged their extravagant fashion show in Valhalla in Bryants Park, NY, shortly after September 11, to raise money for the victims of the World Trade Centre attacks. The event raised millions of dollars for the cause and was networked by ABC across the USA for over an hour. The show included international supermodels, Andrea Boccelli, Mary J Blige and Rupert Everett. With event production by Bureau Betak, the structure housed equipment weighing over 200t / 450,000lbs, creating a catwalk, television studio, backstage dressing area and accommodating 1,000 guests.
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The structure housed the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 26 to September 4, 2002. This summit was also known as ‘Rio+10’ as it was a follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aimed to address global challenges related to sustainable development, including environmental degradation and social inequality.
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The 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards were held at Tor di Valle Racecourse, Rome, Italy, staged in the 10-pole version of the Valhalla with an acre of stages, 6,000 seats and 88,000kg / 235,000lbs of trussing and effects suspended from the roof of the structure. Award presenters on the night included Alicia Keys, N.E.R.D, Naomi Campbell, Andre 3000, Kid Rock and Kanye West. The Awards were broadcast live to 119m in Europe, and to a worldwide audience of 1b, via MTVs global network of music channels and syndication partnerships.
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The installation of Valhalla at Godskitchen Global Gathering in 2005 was phenomenal and featured quite possibly the best dance music line-up of all time, including 2 Many DJs, Anne Savage, Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, David Guetta, Erick Morillo, Erick Prydz, Fabio, Ferry Corsten, Graeme Park, Grooverider, Happy Mondays, John Digweed, Josh Wink, Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes, Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, Pete Tong, Rob Tissera, Roger Sanchez, Sasha, Tidy Boys, Tiesto and many more.
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Accommodating a reported 60,000 people in 2008, the Mighty Men Conference, organised by Shalom Trust of South Africa, was an annual gathering of Christian men and boys which ran from 2004 to 2010. The Conference included camping outdoors and preaching by Angus Buchan.
Valhalla has been used for many more festivals and events including Roskilde Festival in Denmark, for the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and the MoonWalk charity event for breast cancer in Hyde Park, and continues to host international outdoor events.
footage copyright meyersound.com
Hillsong Worship performing in Valhalla at Soul Survivor 2008
