Integral to medicine and dentistry education, the Garrod Building at Queen Mary University London (QMUL) has completed works to provide modern spaces for student study, socialising and other activities. Audiovisual solutions specialist GVAV led the revamp of ageing A/V systems at the historic building, working to a tight deadline to meet the new academic year in September 2023. GVAV worked with Audiologic to deliver a solution that met QMUL’s standards while observing budgetary constraints.
The specification included high-calibre systems for teaching spaces including 11 seminar rooms and a PC lab, as well as the Student Union Bar and Hub, and a fitness suite. Used for both in-person and hybrid learning over Microsoft Teams and Zoom, the teaching spaces were equipped with a Q-Sys Core 610 network I/O COTS processor with a redundant Core, ensuring efficient operations across multiple rooms with multiple Q-Sys peripherals.
The lab and seminar rooms were equipped with QSC TSC G3 Touch Screen Controllers along with a variety of QSC NV-32-H Network Endpoints, NL-P4 Pendant Speakers, AD-S6T surfacemount loudspeakers, NC-110 PTZ cameras and NM table top mics. A Shure MXA710 ceiling array microphone was installed in one of the larger rooms, and Sennheiser bodypack and gooseneck mics and handhelds used throughout.
Hearing for all was an important aspect of the project and phased induction loops including Williams Sound IR transmitters, receivers and headphones and Ampetronic multiloop drivers and induction loop receivers were installed to ensure accessibility for all learners.
An additional QSC 610 network processor with TSC-70-G3 HD Touch Screen Controller was installed in the Student Union Bar, controlling QSC amplifiers, Sennheiser transmitters and mics and Yamaha CZR10 passive and DZR10D active speakers and subwoofers across the bar and social hub.
‘Managing multiple contractors on a project of this scale, while navigating tight deadlines, compounded by lengthy lead times for certain equipment, presented significant hurdles,’ reports GVAV Account Manager, Inderbir Matharoo. ‘However, Audiologic’s expertise proved invaluable. They adeptly sourced necessary equipment and proposed viable alternatives promptly, ensuring seamless progress within our project’s timeline.’
‘We’ve been incredibly impressed with the transformation of the audio system at the Garrod Building at QMUL,’ adds QMUL A/V Design Manager, Jay Ahmed. ‘Having access to state-of-the-art facilities like the ones provided by GVAV, based on the Q-Sys ecosystem, has enhanced the learning experience of our students and guests. The A/V systems have been instrumental in facilitating communication and collaboration in our seminars. The addition of Williams Sound IR transmitters and receivers ensures that all students, regardless of hearing abilities, can fully participate in lectures. Overall, the refurbishment has exceeded our expectations.’
Since installation, the rooms have seen a range of users, from final year medical students to the Russell Group IT Directors’ Forum (RUGIT), which involved CIOs/Directors of Russell Group (including all of the UK’s top, world-class research-intensive universities). All have been highly impressed with the facilities on offer.
The successful refurbishment of the Garrod Building underscores QMUL’s commitment to providing exceptional learning environments, fostering collaboration, and ensuring accessibility for all learners.
More: www.audiologic.uk
