Project Overview
In 2024, Snelling Business Systems embarked on a project to refurbish the audio visual (AV), unified communications, and collaboration (UCC) systems in the flagship lecture theatres at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM): the John Snow Lecture Theatre and the Manson Lecture Theatre.
This followed their successful completion of Zoom-based teaching and meeting rooms in 2023, after a competitive tender exercise.
Client Objective
LSHTM aimed to upgrade their lecture theatres to support both in-person and remote teaching, enabling hybrid learning experiences.
Their objectives included enhancing AV infrastructure by installing state-of-the-art equipment to ensure clear, high-quality audio and video delivery, facilitating Unified Communications (UC) by integrating UC systems for seamless communication and collaboration, and implementing lecture capture technology for recording and archiving lectures.
This technology aimed to provide students and visitors with access to valuable educational content beyond traditional classroom settings, promoting flexibility and accessibility in learning.
Results
After careful planning and execution, Snelling successfully refurbished both lecture theatres, meeting LSHTM’s objectives.
In the John Snow Lecture Theatre, three Epson projectors, motorized projection screens, and strategically placed NEC display screens were installed, while the Manson Lecture Theatre received an Epson projector, NEC display screens, and a Wolfvision visualizer.
Both lecture theatres now feature UC conferencing capabilities powered by Zoom Rooms, with Neat.Pad touch panels for easy control. Dedicated Panopto PCs allow instructors to record and share lectures, with PTZ cameras ensuring clear visuals of presenters for remote learners.
Q-SYS TSC-101 touch panels on lecterns enable intuitive control of AV equipment, and lighting control has been integrated for enhanced ambiance. The AV and UC systems are designed for reliability, featuring automated power-on and shutdown sequences for efficient energy management and system longevity.
These solutions have transformed LSHTM’s flagship lecture theatres into modern, interactive spaces conducive to both in-person and remote learning, aligning with the institution’s objectives and providing students and faculty with a seamless educational experience.
Client Feedback
“We appointed Snelling following a competitive tender process, having worked with them on several projects previously. This project was very high profile for us – these spaces are the key areas for the School used both for teaching as well as external events, so it was important to make sure that the work reflected this.
The project was complicated by the need to integrate within an existing theatre, conducting surveys to ensure that the existing infrastructure was up to scratch, and working to a partially-existing design. The team impressed us and gave us confidence in their ability to deliver, from the system design and verification of existing elements, through the install team, to the commissioning. The finished spaces have received glowing feedback from staff across the School which is a testament to the quality of work performed”
Tom Beevers
AV & Classroom Support Manager IT Services
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine