Sage Gateshead

Lord Norman Foster, one of the most prolific British architects of his generation, personally specified MicroSlat’s products for the imposing box office of the Sage Gateshead, the North-East’s internationally-renown home for music and musical discovery.  

The imposing £70m waterfront building - Lord Foster’s first design for the performing arts – utilises MicroSlat’s powder-coated aluminium slatwall as a backdrop to the box office, as well as a practical storage and display solution in the music reference library.

The Sage is a stunning example of MicroSlat’s versatility. The gunmetal finished MicroSlat slatwall had to be cut into 800mm lengths and then faceted around an 11.5 metre radius wall to mimic the curve and the organic shape of the building itself.

Paul Marshall, Head of Building Services, explains: "As our programme content is constantly changing, and we need to show up to date information on a daily basis, the system allows us to do this without having to fix, remove and then re-affix poster displays and signage."

The Sage also uses a number of MicroSlat’s multi-functional display spinner units for gift items, postcards, books and audio/ visual products.

The gunmetal grey powder coat finish was chosen to blend in with the style of the building. An illusion is also created whereby the slatwall merges into the background so the products are seen and not the fixtures and fittings.