Technomad supplied the outdoor background music systems for two patio areas connected to the new Bowld Student Commons Building. Here, students can gather to socialize and listen to music of their choosing. The PowerChiton amplifiers provide stereo inputs for iPods, mp3 players and CD players, with four Technomad Vernal weatherproof loudspeakers on each patio to playback high-quality audio with pristine musical reproduction.
The Bowld Student Commons Building was just one part of a lengthy rebuilding process.
The F-4 tornado struck the bulk of the residence complexes, academic halls and the previous student commons building, leaving $40 million in damages in its wake. "It was as if a bomb had detonated in the middle of our campus," said Josh Simmons, media support specialist at Union University. "No one was killed and classes resumed two weeks later in local churches and businesses, but the damage was very severe. Housing for 1200 students in 17 residence halls was destroyed, and four academic buildings suffered extensive damage.
Two competing contractors worked around the clock to rebuild, with new residence halls and repaired academic buildings up and running six months later. The new buildings have been built to Hurricane Strength standards and include 'safe rooms' built to tornado shelter standards.
The new Student Commons Building was completed at the beginning of the Fall 2010 semester. Technomad Vernal weatherproof loudspeakers are mounted in the open air rafters, background music to students as they lounge and socialize beneath natural gas grills and Pergolas. The PowerChiton amplifiers juice the entire system.
"Technomad offered a comprehensive weatherproof audio system with great audio quality, which is exactly what we needed to withstand the outdoor environment," said Simmons. "Our staff desired to keep the operation of the patio systems simple. We looked a lot of options, but ultimately, the PowerChiton amplifiers together with the Technomad Vernal speakers were the perfect choice. Our system has turned out better than I could have ever expected."
(Jim Evans)
