Perched atop the historic Folketeater Building in Oslo, Byens Tak is a breathtaking event space that offers stunning panoramic views of the cityscape, fjords, and surrounding forests. Once known as Stratos, this twelfth-floor venue has long been a hub for cultural and social gatherings. When Rodeo Architects took over the space, they envisioned a venue that blended modern functionality with its rich historical character. To achieve this, they needed a dynamic audio solution that could deliver pristine sound while preserving the venue’s aesthetic integrity. That’s where Renkus-Heinz came in.
Byens Tak is a highly versatile space, hosting everything from corporate events and conferences to concerts, club nights, and private celebrations. The venue’s architectural heritage presented a unique set of challenges for audio installation. With its long, narrow layout and intricate acoustics, which included two large domes originally designed for natural sound amplification, ensuring even sound coverage without intrusive equipment was a critical requirement. “The whole space is protected, so we had to work around the existing architecture. The client wanted the speakers to be as integrated and as invisible as possible while still delivering high-quality audio,” explains Daniel Glaister from Benum, Renkus-Heinz’s distributor in Norway.
Additionally, the audio system needed to cater to vastly different applications. In the daytime, the venue functions as a co-working space and hosts professional meetings, requiring flawless speech intelligibility. By night, it transforms into an atmospheric bar and club, demanding powerful, immersive sound for DJ sets and live performances. To meet the venue’s diverse needs, Benum specified a system featuring two Renkus-Heinz IC Live Gen5 digitally steerable column arrays, permanently mounted on the long wall. These were complemented by two Renkus-Heinz SA118 subwoofers, which were mobile on wheels for flexibility.
The IC Live Gen5 Series was the ideal choice for Byens Tak, as the beam-steering technology allowed for precise control over sound dispersion, ensuring consistent audio coverage across the entire space while minimizing reflections from the domed ceilings. “The IC Live Gen5 models are powerful yet incredibly discreet. We could colour-match them to the venue’s walls, making them almost invisible,” Glaister notes. “With beam steering, we could direct the sound exactly where it needed to be, avoiding problem areas and ensuring speech clarity as well as high-energy sound for DJ performances.” Additionally, the placement of the subwoofers – one on each side of the room rather than in traditional stereo alignment – allowed for even low-frequency distribution, avoiding hotspots and dead zones.
Since the installation, Byens Tak has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The venue’s owners and event organizers have praised the system’s flexibility, coverage, and ease of use. “They’re especially thrilled with how adaptable the system is. Whether it’s a business presentation, a wedding, or a club night, they can quickly switch between presets to get the perfect sound,” says Glaister. “And most importantly, they love how it blends into the space without disrupting the venue’s character.” Byens Tak is a project that showcases how innovative audio technology can enhance a historic venue without compromising its architectural integrity. The collaboration between Benum and Renkus-Heinz has resulted in a venue that not only respects its rich history, but also meets the demands of modern event production. The ability to seamlessly transition between different audio requirements has positioned Byens Tak as one of Oslo’s premier event spaces, capable of hosting a diverse range of functions with unmatched audio clarity.
