Presenters are supported by a TOP-TEC height adjustable lectern as well as a 4K Sharp confidence display and WolfVision visualiser for ultra-clear document sharing, while a Mersive Solstice pod enables effortless wireless collaboration.

The lecture theatre’s AV backbone is built on Crestron DM NVX, comprising of numerous encoders and decoders that provide efficient distribution and management of AV signals across different devices. NVX was chosen for its reliability, scalability and low latency, enabling the distribution of high-quality video and audio over the network. Day-to-day operation is simplified through Crestron touch panels, offering users intuitive front-end control of all AV components, whilst GUDE PDUs ensure safe shutdown and resilient system management.

For capture, the lecture theatre benefits from a multi-camera approach with Panasonic AWUE40 PTZ cameras complemented by Crestron 1 Beyond PTZ cameras to track the speaker. These are supported by a voice-activated switching solution that enables the delivery of clean, presenter-focused shots for the benefit of those watching remotely.

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Shure MXA ceiling array microphones and wireless MXW mics were chosen to capture clear, balanced audio across the large space. The audio system is reinforced through Biamp DSP-led column line loudspeakers and subwoofers to ensure consistent and even audio coverage throughout the lecture theatre. In addition, assisted listening is supported via Sennheiser MobileConnect, providing Wi-Fi based audio accessibility for those with hearing impairments.

Collectively, the integrated AV solution across Ashby Lecture Theatre creates a robust and future-ready lecture theatre that delivers engaging and inclusive teaching at scale.

On the second floor, a medium-capacity Harvard-style lecture theatre features a 3M wide NANO COB LED screen from digiLED and mirrors the main auditorium in terms of the AV set-up, providing a smaller space for flexible, hybrid teaching, whilst maintaining a consistent and familiar user experience.

From here, presenters can manage the room’s visual displays and teaching technology using an integrated Crestron touch panel with familiar, intuitive GUI. Teaching staff can present from the in-room PC or connect their own devices via USB-C, with wireless presentation enabled through Crestron AirMedia Series 3. The Crestron AirMedia kit comprises of a dedicated receiver and connect adaptor, allowing laptops, tablets or mobile phones to share content over Wi-Fi without cables or additional hardware, helping to reduce setup time and support flexible, collaborative teaching.

Across the building’s suite of standard teaching rooms, visuals are delivered through a mix of digiLED walls and Sharp large format displays, varied to suit specific room layouts and teaching requirements. Meanwhile, hybrid teaching is supported through integrated camera solutions including Huddly One and AVer PTZ tracking cameras. Each room includes Shure MXW wireless microphone options from the lectern, providing clear speech capture and flexibility. As in the building’s lecture theatres, accessibility is strengthened through Sennheiser MobileConnect assisted listening, helping ensure all students can engage with the content clearly.

The new Business School also includes a large divisible room designed to support a wide range of teaching styles and activities. The space can operate as a single large venue or be divided into smaller zones for workshops and collaborative sessions. Sharp displays mounted on TOP-TEC Nova trolleys, finished with University of Derby branding, allow the layout to be reconfigured quickly while maintaining consistent AV performance and functionality across each configuration.

On the sixth floor, a boardroom supports high-level meetings and presentations. The room is equipped with dual 75” Sharp 4K displays, ensuring clear visuals and flexible content sharing for hybrid collaboration. In line with the standardised AV approach across the building, control of the space is managed via Crestron touch panels, with a dedicated Microsoft Teams Rooms system supporting intuitive room booking and hybrid meetings.

Video capture is handled by the Huddly Crew camera system, an AI-driven multi-camera solution that enables intelligent, speaker-led camera switching for hybrid meetings. Audio reinforcement and speech capture are provided through an adjustable-width Extron sound bar and Shure MXA linear array microphones, ensuring clear, intelligible audio throughout the space.

Collectively, the integrated solution across the meeting-and-boardroom spaces ensures a consistent experience for users throughout the Cavendish Building, with an easy-to-operate system that is ready for both in-person and hybrid use.

On the first floor, a specialist trading room builds on this theme, providing an immersive, industry-grade learning environment. A digiLED HD MAX ticker display wraps the room, delivering live data visuals that mirror real-world trading floors, helping to support scenario-based teaching.

In keeping with the building's wider AV design, the trading room benefits from a familiar, intuitive Crestron interface, a Sharp display for visual content, and audio delivered through compact Genelec speakers and Shure wireless microphones. Like in the building’s other teaching rooms, accessibility and inclusivity were embedded within the AV design with Sennheiser MobileConnect supporting assisted listening, while a Huddly ONE camera solution supports flexible delivery for hybrid or recorded sessions.

A dedicated podcast studio broadens the range of practical learning environments within the building, supporting high-quality audio production and digital content creation. Shure SM7dB microphones, mounted on articulated studio arms, deliver controlled vocal capture and effective background noise rejection. These are paired with a TASCAM Mixcast 4 content production station which acts as a central hub for mixing and recording multiple audio sources, providing students with an intuitive, hands-on interface that enables them to build confidence with podcasting and audio production workflows.

By ensuring the AV across these spaces is intuitive and unobtrusive, students can focus on applying theory in realistic scenarios, helping them to build the skills and confidence needed for careers in business-related industries.

Digital Signage & Shared Spaces

Digital signage is deployed throughout the Cavendish Building to support wayfinding, communications and information sharing.

Crestron room booking panels are positioned outside teaching rooms, lecture theatres and meeting spaces, providing clear visibility of room availability and scheduling at a glance, helping staff and students navigate the building with ease.

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NEC 55” 4K displays are installed across circulation areas and shared spaces with content managed centrally through a Tripleplay digital signage system, allowing the University to update messaging quickly and consistently across the building.

"We have worked with GVAV for many years and continue to value the quality of their work, their technical expertise, and their flexibility in meeting evolving project deadlines. These strengths were particularly evident throughout the development of the new Cavendish Building.

GVAV supported us through several design iterations and timeline adjustments to deliver state of the art audio visual facilities throughout the building."

Debs Spendlove, Senior Engineer - University of Derby

A business school designed for real-world learning

The Cavendish Building demonstrates how carefully integrated AV can support industry-led teaching at scale. Across lecture theatres, teaching rooms and specialist environments, technology has been embedded to enhance learning whilst remaining intuitive and unobtrusive.

Working in close partnership with the University of Derby, GVAV delivered a cohesive AV solution across the building, providing flexible, future-ready spaces that support both in-person and hybrid learning, and equip students with the skills and confidence required for modern business environments.