Challenge
Massey & Harris was contracted by Solutions 2 UK for the Virgin Media Technology Hub Stand at the Ideal Home Show 2013.
Virgin Media's stand was the centrepiece stand for the entire show and the brief was to create impact and draw people in with a play element that parents and kids could enjoy while having a break from walking around the Earl's Court exhibition centre.
The design incorporated a slide that covered a 2.9m drop from the stand's first floor garden area of stand down to floor level, attached to a steel skeleton frame and penetrating through a faux brick wall.
The restrictions comprised a very tight space to work in, between the stand structure itself and the edge of the plot. The slide could not impede the walkway at any point, either on the ground or floating, for health and safety requirements.
In addition, the slide was not allowed to be bolted to the floor, as this would have caused damage to the space at Earl's Court.
Solution
Massey & Harris suggested that a 3.0m spiral slide would provide the necessary wow factor.
Keeping the radius tight and using detailed CAD plans to position the slide perfectly within the area allowed on the plot overcame the space restrictions.
It was important to work closely with Virgin Media's representative to ensure that the red powder coated finish matched VM's brand red perfectly.
To save space, an entirely new runout configuration was designed where the 760mm tunnel opened out into a flat sheet, providing a safe and open exit for adults and children alike.
Strategically placed support points minimised the visual impact of the structure, while specially created self-adhesive load-spreading footplates enabled solid installation without the need to bolt into the floor.
Outcome
The slide provided a memorable extension to the Virgin Media Technology Hub stand, which was later dubbed the 'Smart Home'.
Many happy children's screams were heard when walking past the stand. Increased footfall and a higher average time spent on the stand was measured for Virgin Media.
Massey & Harris' design also allowed very rapid installation and removal, which fit in with a typically hectic exhibition timetable and could accommodate critical last minute changes from Solutions 2 UK.
