AV overhaul for Arup offices

PAI delivered an impressive audio-visual scheme for multi-national professional services company Arup.

The global independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists appointed the South Wales-based integrators to install a range of audio, video and sound technology at their Cardiff offices.

Working closely with the client’s in-house staff in order to meet the complex brief, PAI has provided an AV rich, multi-functional Presentation Suite. It offers the perfect environment for showcasing BIM (Building Information Modelling), as well as video conferencing for efficient communication with clients and affiliate offices around the world, plus corporate entertainment purposes.

The centrepiece of the project is a stunning landscape video wall, which comprises 15 Samsung UD55D premium large format displays, chosen for their ultra narrow bezel of just 3.5mm, colour calibration and LED backlighting technology. Each is separately fixed to a specialist full service mount, allowing exact adjustment in terms of positioning and safe access for post-contract support.

A Barco ECU-110 video wall processor and AMX solutions are pivotal to the successful operation of the control and video routing system. For audio processing, Vaughan Sound installed a Symetrix Radius AEC digital sound processor, alongside a Denon DN-500AV surround sound decoder and two Yamaha XM4080 four-channel audio amplifiers.

To create a high quality, immersive sound field, discrete Tannoy and JBL Control 1 in-wall loudspeakers were chosen to complement the processing. A Univox PLS-100 induction loop amplifier was also fitted for hard of hearing and DDA compliance.

Two collaboration systems have been integrated, which are independently selectable from the control system. One is set up to use Arup’s own network for internal use, the other to an external network for guest use. A Cisco C40 Codec and Precision Camera have been paired with two WePresent 2000 wireless presentation receivers and a Blu-ray Player.

System control itself is facilitated via an iPad, which hosts a specialist app and GUI. This allows easy and intuitive management; including power on/off, use case and display configuration changes, input selection, and audio level. The iPad is stationed at the presenter position – a modern lectern in keeping with its surroundings – where the speaker also benefits from an Audio Technica gooseneck microphone and 10” monitor offering HDMI, DVI, VGA, YPbPr, S-Video and composite video functionality.

The project adds to our growing portfolio of commercial AV projects in the Welsh capital, which includes work for Cardiff Business Club, ITV Cymru Wales, KPMG and Life Sciences Hub Wales, amongst others.