Client Overview
Offering metropolitan views, modern design and a first-class service, Cardiff’s Radisson Blu is one of the tallest buildings in Wales’ capital city. Part of the internationally recognised Radisson Hotel Group, the 21-storey hospitality venue boasts 215 guest rooms, along with six versatile meeting areas and function rooms suitable for conferences, corporate events and special occasions.
Project Brief
The client required up-to-date audio-visual technology befitting of the venue’s contemporary interior and four-star status, while enhancing the amenities offered for business and social events. Working closely with mechanical and electrical consultants Hoare Lea, PAI designed a multi-zone background music system, as well as easy-to-use multimedia display and conference facilities for the hotel’s meeting and function rooms.
With capacity for up to 460 delegates, the half dozen meeting spaces – four of which benefit from natural daylight and generous break out areas – offer expansive spaces for a variety of purposes. The largest of these, the Azzuro Ballroom, can accommodate 300 people and can be configured to several styles including banquet, boardroom, cabaret, classroom, dinner and dance, and theatre. The room can also be divided into two – Azzuro Suites 1 and 2. Meanwhile, the Bianco, Verde and Rosso Suites can also be combined to host up to 120 guests.
Technical Solutions
Multimedia projectors were provided to key function spaces throughout the hotel. These were mounted on retractable hoists and paired with electric projection screens, with all equipment to be hidden out of sight when not in use. Concealing the audio-visual hardware when shifting from a conference to a wedding, for example, not only assists in damage prevention, but also allows guests to better customise the entire space. Undaunted by ceiling heights of over four metres, PAI’s experienced installation team used their industry know-how to ensure that the multimedia projection systems appear to blend seamlessly into the décor, thus not detracting from the aesthetics of these rooms.
A multi-zone background music system was installed to deliver eight music channels to as many independent zones, each with its own digital controller, providing users with the option to easily change music selection and volume levels.
Signal input and output matrixing with a digital sound processor was also introduced, enabling hotel staff, DJs and designated persons to connect peripheral equipment to any chosen input point. Laptops, video cameras and iPods are among the devices that can be used to project media onto one or more of the screens as required.
To ensure that audio-visual facilities were simple to operate and multi-functional, AMX control systems, accompanied by wall-mounted LCD controllers, were selected and installed. The carefully considered distribution and positioning of the signal facility panels assured that the multi-faceted spaces were adaptable and could effectively cater for both small and large audiences.
Outcome
PAI contracted with Honeybun Construction to successfully deliver the project on time and well within budget.
Relaxing background music and audio is now easily accessible, and can be operated at the hotel’s various bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. The technically comprehensive audio-visual systems are simple to use, flexible and can adapt to numerous room setup scenarios.
The adaptability of the audio-visual systems ensures that they are the perfect complement to the facilities on offer, significantly enhancing the guest experience and ensuring that this hospitality venue remains one of the most popular in Cardiff for a wide range of events.
Comment
“We are absolutely delighted with the conferencing systems and the ease in which they can be set up for individual events.” – Sally Hughes, General Manager (Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff)
