Martin ERAs light Londoner’s ballroom
- Details
Its award-winning AV installation was designed, supplied and installed by Visual Systems (part of the Myriad Audio Visual Group and CP Partnership), with Arup acting as consultants for the client.
To equip the hotel’s ballroom - the largest pillarless ballroom in London's West End - Visual Systems turned to the Martin by Harman lighting catalogue for a lighting system, featuring Martin ERA Series, MAC Aura Series and ELP Series. All Martin products were supplied by Martin’s UK distributor Sound Technology.
“We’ve operated in the hospitality sector for over 35 years, but this is by far and away the most impressive of projects.” comments Ray Sappal, project director, Visual Systems. “The client wanted a state-of-the-art facility. They wanted the AV to be discrete with the latest Audio-Visual hardware available. They also wanted the ballroom to be the best in the country.”
The 6,092sq.ft ballroom, with a maximum capacity of 850, is a multifunctional space for all types of events including launch parties, conferences, award ceremonies and weddings.
The installed event lighting system features an all-LED line-up of 30 Martin ERA 400 Performance moving heads, 20 MAC Aura XB washes and four Martin ELP CL Ellipsoidal profiles.
“We looked at various manufacturers on both functionality and cost, and after a lot of research and demos decided on Martin.” explained Martin Goodman, lighting consultant, Visual Systems. “I felt the units had a lot of features that would work well within the Londoner and would also be approved by external event companies working at the venue. We also have Martin fixtures within the group’s hire stock so I knew the product would work. The feedback we have had from the client and their clients has been that of surprise and amazement at what the lighting rig within the ballroom can do.”
The ballroom has already hosted some of the world's leading fashion, film and lifestyle brands including the British Film Institute, British Vogue, British Designer, Richard Quinn and Givenchy Beauty.
Nick Kalsi, Edwardian Hotels' technology consultant, adds: “I worked closely with Visual Systems on this project and am so pleased with the design and installation carried out. Visual Systems have done a great job in providing us with systems that are not only user friendly but easy to maintain and future proof. This has been a very difficult and a long project for all due to COVID, but we have come out of it stronger and with a product to be proud of. The ballroom is unique in that we have every item you may require for a high-end event, including a spectacular Martin lighting system which just takes this area to another level.”
Ray Sappal concludes: “I don’t think we are going to see many new hotels of this size being built in London. Winning the project was an honour for us.”
