BACKGROUND
Following appointment to the Anglia Ruskin Postgraduate Medical Institute building in Chelmsford and the university's pioneering digital gallery in the heart of Cambridge, Snelling Business Systems were once again approached by Anglia Ruskin University to deliver the requirements for a new development at the Guild House, this time on their site at Peterborough.
Work on the refurbishment began in 2010, with Snelling Business Systems joining the team on the ground in early March 2011, to deliver the extensive audio visual requirements for the 200 seat lecture theatre, skills lab, conference room and multiple classrooms.
Snelling Business Systems completed their installation on time and to budget, by the end of March 2011, ready for the opening of the building at the start of the new academic term.
AIMS OF THE PROJECT
The aim of the £1.5 million project was to transform Anglia Ruskin University's Guild House into a quality learning and working environment; to make it their hub for Health and Social care in Peterborough, moving the faculty from its site at Peterborough District Hospital to the new facilities, with a view to other faculties joining them in the future.
The refurbishment was designed to transform the 50,000 sq ft. dilapidated 3 storey 1960's Guild House into large a state-of-the-art lecture theatre with ample break-out areas, a library, a modern skills lab, offices and multiple classrooms.
The remodelled building would then offer students a positive learning environment, custom built to deliver teaching for their School of Nursing, including a skills lab which replicates a hospital ward.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
In order to deliver the aims of the project, Snelling Business Systems were required to install a number of complete room AV systems, each of which were individually designed to meet the specification for preferred equipment models, to minimise the university's spares and stock holdings.
The Lecture Theatre had the greatest requirements for state-of-the-art audio visual technology, which Snelling Business Systems delivered through the fitting of dual SXGA+ 7500 lumen installation projectors and electric tab tensioned screens. A modular Matrix switcher with EDID minder was incorporated into the installation to allow for content to be displayed on either screen. The specification for audio was fulfilled with the installation of DSP audio with engineered directional sound and ceiling installed subwoofers, along with wired and wireless microphones.
Classrooms One and Two were equipped with dual 4000 lumen installation projectors and fixed frame screens. Once again, modular Matrix switchers with EDID minder were fitted to allow for content to be displayed on either screen and the audio requirements for the project were delivered with the fitting of DSP audio with wall and ceiling speakers enhanced with wired and wireless microphones.
The Skills Lab and additional classrooms were fitted with a combination of single installation projectors with fixed frame screens and dual projection: one high brightness model and one short throw in order for the interactive board to be compliant with HSE guidelines. In addition, Top-Tec DDA compliant presentation centers were used in the installation; along with 7" touch screen control and remote management, interactivity via interactive board or lcd tablet, digital and analogue connectivity and high resolution visualisers.
The Video Conference office was installed with a 42" LCD screen with Tandberg video conference and local inputs and the Reception lobby was fitted with an LCD screen with digital signage media player.
Snelling Business Systems used a fibre optic infrastructure throughout the theatres and the audio visual element of the refurbishment was delivered on time and to budget.