With branches in Dubai, Malta and Mauritius, Middlesex University has built an international presence from its main campus in Hendon, North London. It is here, however, that an extensive redevelopment project has transformed a previously underused outdoor space – with some assistance from its sound installation.

Adding a modern and innovative glass roof has transformed the Sir Raymond Rickett Quadrangle into a versatile gathering and event space. It has also created its own acoustical issues, with the massive glass roof creating a highly reflective environment. To address these, the university contacted Polar Audio, who partnered with Roche Audio Visual to design a dedicated audio system centred on a Renkus-Heinz Iconyx IC Live digitally steered array loudspeaker system.

The system comprises four Renkus-Heinz ICL-R steered arrays and two IC215S subwoofers, which allow the sound to be directed toward listening areas and away from reflective surfaces. The system assembles quickly and easily, making it possible to position the system at various locations, depending on the stage and audience configuration of different events and performances. For each different position, a pre-set beam configuration can be saved to the IC Live for quick recall.

A Mackie DL32R digital mixer with iPad control covers FOH mixing, further simplifying setup for events and allowing engineers to control the mix from anywhere in the venue.

‘Middlesex University is delighted with the new system,’ says Polar Audio Director of Installation, Stuart Leader. ‘We were pleased to be involved from the outset, and to partner with Roche AV. The Iconyx steered array technology has been proven to overcome the challenge of difficult acoustical spaces, and it was most certainly the best choice for this project.’