Under the design direction of think!OTS (TOTS) the creative team was tasked with conceiving a unique thematic infrastructure combining dynamic design with natural imagery. In collaboration with TOTS, Wood Marsh provided the architectural services that led to a unique shape, which was then constructed by TOTS' partner in the project, Bovis Lend Lease.
In planning the technical production TOTS contracted Paul van der Ent from Wizard Projects in Australia to be the executive technical director - both companies having been previously involved with a number of pavilions at expos for the Australian Government.
Wizard, having successfully used QSC and Martin in previous Australian Pavilions, again designed around these products and in turn approached Technical Audio Group (TAG) to provide the no-compromise audio solution and assist in its configuration.
Each exhibit was designed to give visitors an understanding of the size and scope of Australia's culture, from pre-colonial indigenous peoples to the diverse mosaic of present day society.
The system design was based on a 360° / six-hang QSC Audio ILA 2082 WideLine line array and four WL118 flying subs. In total 34 FOH elements provided the main sound play back, with 15 QSC AD-S82H spaced equally round the rear supporting the sound effects and 12 AD-S82H providing audience front row-fill. ILA's 140° dispersion pattern again provided seamless audience coverage.
The room itself measured 25mlong but only 10m wide, allowing events to be set up in either portrait or landscape format. Martin Audio's OmniLine micro-array system was chosen.
"The beauty of OmniLine is that the cut off point is a genuine 75Hz," adds TAG technical director, Tony Russo . "Therefore that dislocated sub-to-satellite sound that I hate in other systems is non-existent. In fact for most events the AV staff don't even connect the subs." Using Martin Audio's predictive software determined the splay angles and equalisation required."
(Jim Evans)
