Shand Shelton is an architectural practice which specialises in the design, documentation and construction of live performance creative spaces throughout New Zealand and in Australia.

On a recent project for Positively Wellington Venues – Shed 6 on the capital's waterfront – Shand Shelton specified 50 semi automatic Variflex operable walls from DORMA which allowed the 740 square metre space to be easily reconfigured to create one, two or three smaller venues as required.

A fully automated wall from DORMA was initially chosen, but semi automatic walls were later specified due to budget constraints and proved to be an ideal solution. The seven metre high panels are fixed to a multi-directional trolley which allows them to be moved manually with ease, either to store the panels in pockets or divide the room.

Once the room is divided, built in seals in each panel are switch-activated to fill the gap at the top and bottom, eliminating sound transmitting from one space to the next.

In addition to the semi-automatic operable walls, a slider operable wall with 55 STC acoustic rating was installed at the entrance reducing the noise created from a nearby helipad.