Harman solution for Northampton University
- Details
The university leadership decided to build a new, centralised campus in Northampton’s Waterside district. The project allowed the school to completely rethink how to best serve their students, resulting in a radically different approach that eschewed traditional lecture halls in favour of flexible, collaborative learning spaces.
In order to achieve these goals, AV distributer Midwich supplied the university with a range of AMX, JBL, Crown, BSS and AKG solutions to accommodate the complex technical demands of the ultra-modern campus. The comprehensive Harman solution was designed and deployed by Kinly, a service-led integrator specializing in the design, implementation & support of best in class collaboration solutions globally.
“It became obvious to us that we needed to teach in a more 21st century way, so we've adopted a new approach called Active Blended Learning,” said Andrew Taylor, digital services manager, University of Northampton. “I like to refer to it as almost the democratisation of learning, because it's not one person standing above everyone else and talking down to them anymore.”
The backbone of Waterside’s new digital infrastructure is a campus-wide matrix of networked AV equipment. Thirty-three AMX SVSI N-series encoder and decoder units stream 4k video to 116 flexible teaching spaces, 24 collaborative spaces, one large lecture theatre and several open spaces across campus (including two massive video walls).
BSS BLU-50 and BLU-100 digital signal processors handle audio routing with equal speed and flexibility via BLU Link and Dante audio-over-IP protocols. Crown CDi-series amplifiers integrate seamlessly with the audio network and provide ample power with low power consumption to comply with the school’s efficiency standards.
A range of Harman audio equipment delivers the sound in a variety of spaces throughout the campus. The lecture theatre features JBL CBT-series line array column loudspeakers, augmented by 18” SRX818SP subwoofers for full-range sound. Additional CBT columns, along with Control 23-1 WH and 65 P/T loudspeakers and other assorted JBL models, deliver audio throughout the common areas and study spaces. AKG WMS420 wireless microphone systems allow speakers and presenters to be heard with maximum clarity for lectures, events and campus-wide broadcasts.
More than 170 collaborative spaces feature an AMX Acendo Book 7" wall-mounted touch panel, which lets staff and students see at a glance if and when a room is available and book it for their use instantly, streamlining scheduling and improving efficiency. AMX MXD and MST touch panels allow users to interface with the campus AV network, and approximately 100 Bluetooth-enabled Acendo Vibe ACV-2100 Conferencing Sound Bars facilitate communication with sound from JBL speakers and microphones. The system was installed by integrator Kinly, who worked closely with the university to ensure the system was configured to meet their needs.
“We were delighted to work with Midwich to create a modern learning facility for The University of Northampton’s new Waterside campus,” says Leighton Hughes, UK MD & EVP at Kinly.
(Jim Evans)
