BACKGROUND
In December 2008 Snelling Business Systems was appointed to design, supply, install and maintain the AV facilities for the University of East Anglia's Thomas Payne Study Centre (TPSC).
The project included the University's flagship lecture theatre and multiple seminar rooms with unified controls, multiple displays, and interactive presentation technologies, as well as a campus helpdesk and comprehensive digital signage.
A detailed brief was supplied outlining the vision for the new study centre and Snelling Business Systems worked hand-in-hand with the team at the university as well as architects and contractors, to deliver the audio visual requirements on time and within budget.
AIMS OF THE PROJECT
The aim of the project was to create a contemporary new building containing centrally managed and bookable AV equipped seminar rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art lecture theatre.
The university wanted teaching spaces that made a progressive statement and they sought to exploit the latest advances in integrated AV technologies, the installation of which would improve the lecturer and student experience, whilst simplifying operation by reducing management overhead and providing detailed management reports and statistics, allowing in depth evaluation of usage.
In addition, the project aimed to increase accessibility to material via live streaming, recording and delivering rich media content via VLE and internet, as well as providing HD content delivery with multi channel surround sound in a 360 seat lecture theatre environment.
Audio visual systems were therefore a core aspect of realising these objectives and Snelling Business Systems incorporated all aspects of the brief to ensure that the goals of the project were achieved in final delivery.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
We fulfilled our client's requirements for comprehensive digital signage by designing a system which integrates with the university's campus wide digital signage, allowing the digital signage within the TPSC to provide a live relay of material from the lecture theatre and also display a mixture of central UEA and local TPSC content. Networked control enables monitoring and remote operation of all AV facilities.
The lecture theatre was equipped with rich media web streaming and recording, high definition projection, a Supernova Infinity optical screen, fibre optic video system, THX surround sound, 4kw sound system, 6 wired / 6 wireless microphones, simple and intuitive touchscreen control, comprehensive technician controls and remote support and technician control.
Each of the seminar rooms were fitted with three display designs, incorporating a manual pull-down projection screen, a traditional ceiling mounted network projector and an interactive LCD monitor. In addition, the rooms were all equipped with two audio system designs, a rich media system, signal processing and distribution, standardized user interface for control and, depending on the size of the seminar room, each one contains either a purpose built AV cabinet or desk, with a TeamMate tutor AV desk fitted in the largest room.
SUMMARY
The project was delivered in three parts - the centralization of a networked control system and comprehensive digital signage throughout the TPSC, the lecture theatre and the twelve seminar rooms.
The entire AV project was managed in-house Snelling Business Systems, with a dedicated project manager, who co-ordinated between the client, the contractor and the architects, attending design meetings, producing detailed service and mechanical plans and carrying out the AV installation.
In September 2010, The Thomas Paine study Centre was also shortlisted for a coveted AV Award, in the category Education Project of the Year, which was the second consecutive year that Snelling Business Systems has reached the finals of these prestigious awards.