Hawthorns were responsible for the design and installation of the technical infrastructure for the main hall/theatre, drama studio and recording studio under head of installs, Alan Jackson.
In the main hall/theatre Hawthorns installed a lighting system comprising of Zero 88 dimmers and control, Selecon lanterns and internally wired bars and facility panels manufactured by Doughty Engineering. Along with the lighting system an integrated sound and video system was installed along with an AMX control interface. Martin Audio speakers, an Allen and Heath IDR and an Allen and Heath GL3800 mixer were at the centre of the audio system, with a Christie LX700 projector and electric screen for video and projection.
Hawthorns installed a similar system in the Drama Studio, which is also used as the stage for the main hall, with an interface to connect the two spaces together when the large format theatre is used. As with the main hall, the drama studio uses Zero 88, Selecon and Doughty engineering manufactured equipment and Martin Audio speakers, but it has its own portable sound control system housed in a portable flight case.
The recording studio has an Apple IMac and Tascam DM3200 digital mixer at its heart along with outboard equipment from Tascam, Lexicon and Blue Sky monitoring. The studio is able to interconnect with the main hall and drama studio enabling recordings to be made from all these spaces.
Bespoke drapes for all the spaces were manufactured by Hawthorn's Drape Department and installed as part of the technical package.
Hawthorns head of sound, Iain Reinhold, who undertook final commissioning of the audio systems said he "was pleased with the way the system integration worked" and "delighted by the reception of the facilities from both students and staff." Head of Installs, Alan Jackson, said, "Another Academy completed on schedule, to our high and exacting standards, which is a credit to all our installation team."
(Jim Evans)
