Nothing Quiet About Hush

October 06, 2003

There are a handful of clubs in the country, in the world for that matter that can compete with Houston’s new superclub Hush. With its Grand Opening on August 14th, and top acts like Ashanti, Digital Underground, Bad-Boy recording artist Faith Evans and some of the country’s top DJs appearing regularly, Hush has instantly placed itself on the ‘must visit’ list for clubbers around the world.

Hush is impressive to say the least. One look at the equipment list (scroll to the story’s end and take a look), which features a Martin Total Club package, square footage (25,000) and cost (approximately $9 million) tells you that Hush is something special. But Hush is so much more than numbers. From the high tech Martin lighting and top quality Mach sound rig, to the commitment to detail from owners Dan Deschamps and Kevin Johnson, it’s the quality that impresses.

Location, Location, Location
With original thoughts of opening an Internet oriented club in Reno or Houston, Dan and Kevin researched the growing west side of Houston for a location for their “dress to impress” club. Eventually they decided to convert an existing building that Dan already owned, adding an additional 25,000 sq. ft., into a showcase for nightclub technology. With 300,000 cars passing the site per day, and a population of 500,000 within a ten-mile radius, they had found their spot.

“I wanted to have the best light and sound of any club in the world.”
“I really built my own club because I got tired of waiting in line at clubs to get in,” jokes Kevin, formerly a computer graphics artist. “Actually, I’ve always loved music. I like to sing and I play several instruments. I’ve always been into clubbing and eventually I got into Djing. My dream was to open a huge nightclub, and light and sound are key elements of that. I wanted to have the best light and sound of any club in the world.” In order to make that dream reality, Dan and Kevin traveled the US and even Europe to look at clubs because, in their words, “we didn’t want to be upstaged by another club.”

After a good deal of research into lighting and sound companies, Dan and Kevin chose Martin after a trip to the company’s US headquarters in Sunrise, Florida. “We looked at other manufacturers, but after seeing the showroom in Florida and learning about the Total Club package, we went with Martin,” commented owner Dan Deschamps. “They also accommodated us so well.”

Hush Design Group
The club’s size underwent several changes in the early phases. Initially the idea was to go “big”. Then it was toned down to a middle of the road 12-14,000 sq. ft. before evolving into the 25,000 sq. ft. multi level venue it is today.

Although Hush features themed nights, it is not a themed club. It is however a hard-hitting, concrete and industrial nightclub that no interior designer could quite master. Dan explains, “We brought in a bunch of different design companies but they all wanted to add this ‘foo foo’ stuff - cone shaped, fuzzy elements and things like that. They couldn’t understand what we were explaining to them so we decided, since we are the one’s with the vision why not do it ourselves, so we did the design in house.”

Supplying such a huge amount of lighting and sound gear was another matter altogether. For that, they called on Creative Production & Design of Austin, Texas.

Outfitted with the latest in high tech equipment from the bathrooms to the waitresses (example, waitresses send orders to the bar via wireless hand held palms), and featuring a modular design and various rooms that allow it to accommodate a number of groups all at once, Hush hopes to enjoy the momentum the city of Houston is experiencing from major upcoming events, namely the Super Bowl in January and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game next July.

Meet and Greet
The Hush experience begins before you even get inside. Visible from adjacent Interstate 10, the club’s glass façade and six porte-cache columns dominate its exterior. Each column is dynamically illuminated by a Martin Architectural Exterior 200 color changing light with audio from Mach M-Flex 15 XP’s.

The indoor Hush experience starts immediately upon entering the club, in a ‘meet and greet’ hospitality area where six recessed Martin Architectural Alien 05 color changing downlights provide color wash onto the black-slated walls and floor. A pair of FiberSource CMY 150, built into a wrap-around sofa, each power ALSI, FL-19 stranded fiber illuminating the surrounding wall. Each FiberSource is fitted with a harness of 16 fiber cables concluding at NL-6 end elements. Meanwhile, a MiniMac Maestro image projector sweeps the Hush logo along the floor and walls. A pair of Plasma screens adorn the wall above the sofa, two of an amazing 35 located throughout the club. Details abound, such as in an adjacent stairwell leading to an upstairs bar area where guests are guided by color illumination from three Martin Architectural Alien 02 color changers.

Large bar area
From the ‘meet and greet’ area two, narrow, black-slated hallways, each lit with six Alien 05, lead guests through an archway into a large bar area the size of most clubs. But this is Hush. We’ve only just started. Overhead hang eight video screens, so close they are touching, to form a one-of-a-kind video ceiling. Lighting effects come from six of Martin’s new 250 Krypton profile spots - three located above the bar and three on the opposite wall. Four MAC 300 wash lights color the room giving it the proper ambiance.

Upper bar
An adjacent upper bar area provides a more intimate atmosphere and features a liquor display second to none. As bottles slowly rotate in each of 16 x 6 = 96 cubbyholes behind the bar, they are backlit by four MAC 300 wash lights located inside the display. Each cubbyhole’s opaque plexiglass back emanates waves of color with an occasional flash from an Atomic 3000 strobe. Another Martin MiniMAC Maestro projects Hush and custom made sponsor company logos across the room. Both the upper and lower bars, actually one continuous bar of black granite with a stainless steel front, is underlined with Martin CMY FiberSource 150 powered 3M HL12 fiber. A second floor bar also features 3M HL12 fiber under the countertop with four MAC 300 washlights laying down color.

Main dancefloor
Hush’s main dancefloor area is not only a feast for the eyes but the body and soul as well. A vast, sunken dancefloor area drops several feet and then skies to 3-stories, giving the feeling of unlimited space. “The dancefloor is 2,300 sq. ft. in all. Sinking the floor was a big project but we wanted to create a feeling when you walk in that you’re walking down into the club, and the only way to get that feeling of space is to go down,” says Dan. “It was a huge job but we felt it was important to put the dancefloor on a different level to create that feeling of space. With the sunken dancefloor the club is actually on about 8 different levels.”

Spider truss
As the eyes travel downward into the dance pit the real surprise lurks nearly 42 feet above. Here a huge, moveable, spiderlike truss drips with enough automated lighting to challenge even a large touring show - Martin Atomic 3000 strobes, Wizards, MAC 2000 Profiles, MAC 600, MAC 500, color changers, scanners and more. The spider truss was the brainchild of Martin Professional’s Dave Chesal, who provided lighting design and systems integration expertise to the club, and Hush’s Technical Director Mike Guttman. “We met Dave at the LDI exhibition a couple of years ago,” states Dan, ”and together with Mike they developed the concept for the 6-legged spider truss which the club would be built around.” Dave and co-lighting designer Justin Jenkins used the Martin ShowDesigner, a lighting design software package, to create 3-D visualizations of the club for fixture placement purposes.

The truss is made up of several concentric rings and spider legs. As the truss lowers all the way to the floor, double articulation in each truss arm allows the legs to rise above the body, giving the rig an eerie yet ominous look. On the small inner ring are four Atomic 3000 strobes with a Martin Wizard centerpiece cluster (4 Wizards) adorning each leg spoke. An outer ring is laden with 32 MX-10 scanners. Each spider arm has 2 MAC 2000 Profile, 2 MAC 600, 1 MAC 500, 2 RoboScan Pro 918, and two Atomics. Some 24 RoboColor Pro 400s are used as truss warmers with 24 Atomics on the rig all together. 240 sticks of LED lighting are also incorporated. From the body of the spider truss whatever desired can be lowered - disco ball, cage, girl – to the crowd below.

Besides providing an awesome abundance and variety of dancefloor lighting effects, the rig sprays pattern and color onto the large white ceiling as well as a 3-story wall, which is actually the side of the elevator leading to the second and third floor V-VIP areas.

Sunken dancefloor
The “purple heart” colored hardwood dancefloor is, well, the heart of the club and commands attention from the surrounding space. Custom metal lattice and sheetrock adorns the walls. The dancefloor features custom-made stainless steel dancepods with plexiglass bottoms (made by Met Company). Each pod is uplit by four cross-focused CX-4 color changers with an Atomic strobe placed at the center of each pod.

Other unique features in the main dancefloor area include truss towers topped by a MAC 300 and 4 MAC 250 Kryptons running up the length. A pair of Jem ZR 24/7 continuously running hazers provide the atmospheric haze and projection canopy for the multitude of effect lighting. Also added to the mix is a pair of Alien 02 Pendant color changing downlights illuminating tables overlooking the main dance area, and a first floor mezzanine area lit with 24 recessed Alien 05 color changing downlights.

Mach speakers
Four powerful Mach speaker clusters hang from the 42 ft. ceiling in the main dance area providing focused sound around the dancefloor. Each cluster is made up of two Mach MS1262 Slingshot 3-way long throw units and two 15X2 Slingshot mid bass units. An imposing row of sixteen powerful Mach Ballister subs is located on the dancefloor, fronting the stage. Wherever there is a ceiling, recessed Alien 51S ceiling speakers have been installed, ensuring that as guests move around, the music will always be clear and clean.

DJ booth
Any DJ would be proud to occupy Hush’s DJ booth. Located on the second floor overlooking the main dance area, a Martin Maxxyz lighting console serves as the lighting control board of choice and VIP guests have the unique opportunity to look right over the driver. An 18” Mach M181T sub and two full range Mach M12T serve as booth monitors with Powersoft amp racks tucked neatly away under the stairs.

Next to the DJ booth at a height of 10 feet and canlevered off the wall is a unique, floating shadow-dancing platform. A lycra screen designed by Pink Inc. of New York and opaque foot provide hints of the dancer inside.

Skyboxes
V-VIP ‘skyboxes’ on the third floor overlook the main dance area, DJ booth and VIP area. Accessible only by an elevator or a “secret” back entrance for celebrity guests, they are private yet open glass cubicles added after an inspirational trip to Las Vegas.

Fabulous facilities
Even the bathrooms are something to talk about. When the light level in the bathroom exceeds the level in the bar area the mirror lit with LyteTrak Light Bars separating the two rooms becomes transparent, giving guests in the bar a peek into the private lives of others. The entire bathroom (co-ed) is lit with Martin CMY FiberSource 150 powered FL-61 and FL-37 stranded fiber optic, even the stalls are fiber optically lit and have six-inch LCD screens and drink holders.

Hush also boasts a 4000 sq. ft outdoor patio and stage featuring live band performances.

Owner Dan Deschamps expressed his satisfaction with both the result and level of service from Martin. “Martin has been awesome and the service has been phenomenal. I’m amazed by the follow through. It’s to everyone’s advantage that this thing becomes what it’s supposed to be and not something that works only half way. The fact that you guys do step up, and did what you did because we purchased your product, is great.”

“We definitely feel an obligation to the nightclub industry,” concludes Dave Chesal. “We know how important it is and give it that extra attention and go that extra mile to maintain relationships. Hush is a very important club that goes beyond Texas. There’s nothing like it in America. It has put Houston on the map worldwide as a destination location for club goers.”

Hush may grow into something more than just the Houston venue however. Dan and Kevin have trademarked the name for nightclubs, restaurants and bars as well. They are also planning on opening up Hush Jazz club next door, in the same building, this fall.

Owners: Dan Deschamps, Kevin Johnson
Operations Manager: Chris Hobbs
Technical Director: Mike Guttman
Lighting Designer: Dave Chesal
Assistant Lighting Designer: Justin Jenkins
Interior Design: Hush Design Group
Systems Integration: Dave Chesal
Crew Chief: Eric Hite
Construction Coordinator: Marty Fossland
Manager: Larry James
Electrical Services: Danny Nicoletti
Lighting and Audio Supplier: Creative Production & Design
Video & Additional Audio Supplier: Sound Stage Systems
Installation: Creative Production & Design and Griffin Automation
Audio Consultants: Darryl Sutton, Corey Silverman
Lighting Programmer: Rob Smith, Matthias Hinrichs, Carl Wake

Equipment List:

  • 12 x MAC 2000 Profile
  • 12 x MAC 600 NT
  • 6 x MAC 500
  • 12 x RoboScan Pro 918
  • 32 x MX-10 Extreme
  • 38 x MAC 250 Krypton
  • 16 x Wizard (4 multibracket)
  • 36 x Atomic 3000 Strobe
  • 17 x MAC 300
  • 16 x CX-4
  • 12 x RS 485 Optosplitter
  • 6 x Exterior 200
  • 42 x Alien 05
  • 7 x Alien 05 Driver Box
  • 6 x Alien 02
  • 2 x Alien 02 Pendant
  • 20 x FiberSource CMY 150
  • 2 x MiniMAC Maestro
  • 24 x RoboColor Pro 400
  • 1 x Maxxyz
  • 1 x LightJockey Club version (PCI 2048 channels)
  • 3 x Jem Club Smoke (6 heads total)
  • 2 x Jem ZR 24/7
  • 4 x Jem ZR 12 DMX
  • 6 x Jem AF-1 fan
  • 16 x Mach Ballister
  • 8 x Mach MS1262
  • 8 x Mach MS15X2
  • 4 x Mach High-Frequency Arrays
  • 4 x Mach M15T
  • 8 x Mach M82i
  • 4x Mach M-FLEX 15 XP
  • 2 x Mach M12T
  • 1 x Mach M181T
  • 6 x Mach M20.06
  • 6 x Powersoft Digam 7000
  • 1 x Powersoft Digam 5000
  • 1 x Powersoft Q4002
  • 2 x Powersoft Q3002
  • 3 x Powersoft Q4004
  • 5 x Powersoft Q3204
  • 35 x 42” Plasma Screen monitors
  • 26 x 6” LCD Monitors
  • 8 x Eiki LC-X1100 LCD Projectors, with Custom Wide-Angle Lens
  • 1 x Eiki LC-XTC LCD Projector, with Custom Wide Angle Lens
  • DJ, LJ & VJ Desk Enclosures; Custom Made Systems
  • Power distribution: Motion Laboratories
  • 4 x 2 ton CM Loadstar Chain Motors
  • 17 x 1 ton CM Loadstar Chain Motors
  • Truss motor control: Skjonberg Motors Control
  • Trussing: Tomcat & Total Structures
  • ALSI stranded fiber: FL-19, FL-37 and FL-61
  • 54 x ALSI NL-6 Stainless Steel end elements (32 Lobby, 22 Bathroom Doors)
  • 24 x ALSI NL-5F Stainless Steel end elements (Bathroom Stalls)
  • 12 x ALSI NL-5S Stainless Steel end elements (Bathroom Sink Basins)
  • 8 x ALSI Lyte Trak 88in High Intensity
  • 60 meters 3M HL12 solid core sidelight fiber
  • 150 x iColor Cove LT 6” LED’s

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