VSI was brought onboard to offer specialist sound, AV and integration skills by the project's electrical contractors Highadmit Projects, who in turn were working for principal building contractors, HBG.
The project - which put 'audio-visual integration' at the hub of it's agenda - was managed for VSI by Keith Fish, who comments: "We came up with a highly flexible, cost-effective solution for the client. This included our specialist expertise and knowledge of the audio visual arena which allowed VSI to deliver all the requirements from design/spec of the systems, right through to installation and commissioning."
VSI's brief included the provision of flexible and appropriate AV systems for eight meeting rooms in Penallta House. These were designed for ease of use by non-technical staff, each consisting of a 2000 ANSI Lumen Sanyo projector, a retractable electric screen and a 6-button AMX touch panel controller, wall mounted adjacent to the room's lighting control.
For the Cabinet and Committee Rooms, VSI supplied similar AV systems with additional high end audio reinforcement consisting of TOA speakers and amplification. These areas have 16-button AMX controllers. The Cabinet Room features an additional interactive white board facility for presentations and discussions, and a Sony PCS-1P conferencing system.
In the Ceremony Room - in which marriages and civil ceremonies take place - VSI has installed a full sound system, again controlled by a 16-button AMX control panel. Sources include a tuner and CD player and a selection of hand-held and lapel radio mics.
For the Council Chamber, the VSI team specified a full AV system centred around a 3000 ANSI Lumen Sanyo projector, three 60 inch plasma screens and AMX control, featuring a 12 inch touch screen tablet. To control the video conferencing element, they integrated a Kramer VP-88 8x8 RGBHV/ balanced stereo audio matrix switcher into the system.
Throughout the building, VSI has installed over 40 induction loops to aid the hearing-impaired, plus a digital signage system comprising 40 inch Sony LCD monitors, which run Saturn Connectvision software and content.
(Jim Evans)
