Norway-based firm Various Architects (VA) has designed a collapsible venue that will tour worldwide next year with an Arts Alliance Productions performance called ID - Identity of the Soul.

The 3,900sq m (42,000sq ft) Mobile Performance Venue (MPV) ranges from 11m (36ft) to 17m (56ft) in height, and holds a standing audience of 3,500. The foyer contains front-of-house functions such as ticketing, security, cloak room, refreshments and toilets. A mezzanine area, accessible via internal stairs, can be used as a lounge, catering space, exhibition space or for VIP events.

Working with engineers from the London-based Ramboll-Whitbybird, VA designed the structure to reduce shipping weight and volume to a minimum by using an inflatable outer skin, a lightweight cable roof and a combination of standard and bespoke aluminium structural frames. The outer skin is a self-supporting membrane of hexagonal inflated tubes and translucent cushions.

The entire venue can be deflated and divided into stackable components that fill 30 40ft shipping crates, and takes two weeks to install.