Prince Edward Hall - University of Hertfordshire: Case study

AV Awards finalist 2023After a competitive tendering process, GVAV were appointed to lead an LED revolution across the University of Hertfordshire including several new state-of-the-art teaching spaces. This is the first of a three-part series of case studies centred around LED integration in signature spaces at the University.

AV INSTALLED

Q-SYS AVoIP system

NEC LED video wall

TOP-TEC lectern

NEC displays

Shure mics

QSC cameras

JBL speakers

WolfVision visualiser

Audio visual case study

Prince Edward Hall at the University of Hertfordshire

Completed in early 2023 Prince Edward Hall is a newly designed teaching space that has transformed a former tiered lecture theatre on the College Lane Campus into a state-of-the-art wireless collaborative learning environment.

The new facility truly is a stand out solution, incorporating cutting-edge NEC LED and Q-SYS AVoIP technology to enhance the student learning experience. Prince Edward Hall is innovative and progressive in its use of AV, tailoring to the needs of STEM subjects and accommodating more hands-on, flexible learning methods. Previously, the University had lacked a dedicated lecture theatre for these subjects, hampering their preferred teaching approaches.

To do

A versatile solution

As the tiered seating was being removed and decorating got underway, the finishing touches were being made to the AV design. Due to the nature of the requirements, it was imperative that this space would enable collaborative and hybrid working, whilst also serving as a traditional teaching space when needed.

With versatility at the heart of this project, Prince Edward Hall needed to be a multi-functional flat-floor lecture theatre space facilitating wireless, collaborative learning, as well as presentations, breakout learning sessions and group training tailored for STEM students.

State of the art display technology

The facility’s centrepiece is a 4.8m x 2.7m 1080p NEC 1.2mm Fine Pitch LED wall, mounted onto bespoke metal bracketry and cladding.

Prince Edward Hall LED wall

As a running theme throughout this series of recent projects, the University have been passionate about pioneering modular LED technology as a low-maintenance, cost effective alternative to projection.

Working closely with PSCo, the client, and consultants Hewshott, it became clear that LED was the most practical and effective solution for this space and provides stunning high-resolution visuals, serving as a focal point for presentations and content display.

“

​​​​​​​Sukh Basi, GVAV​​​​​​​“LED is the biggest untapped area of technology for customers right now. We see it as a display solution for the future because of the flexibility in how you can install it and implement it.”

Sukh Basi

Sales Director, GVAV

As well as the LED wall, the Hall is also equipped with five NEC 86" interactive displays featuring local input connectivity options such as USB-C and HDMI. These displays are mounted on custom TOP-TEC motorised floor and wall brackets, providing flexibility in positioning and providing DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliance.

Additionally, five NEC 65" interactive displays with similar input capabilities are installed on portable TOP-TEC COACT screen trolleys, further enhancing the capability for collaborative work. These display options make Prince Edward Hall the perfect learning environment for students to collaborate with their peers and learn interactively.

Hybrid and remote solutions

In a post-pandemic world, hybrid functionality and working collaboratively with remote students were imperative requirements for this new space, and this consideration was at the forefront of the planning stage. The peripheral displays are integrated with Poly Studio video bars, allowing seamless BYOM video conferencing and communication.

For audio capture in the Hall, two Shure wireless handheld and lapel microphones were installed, supported by a quad charging base and a 4-channel Shure wireless ceiling receiver. The room also features twin QSC NC-20x60 PTZ cameras for capturing presentations in full-HD, utilising Panopto recording and external streaming capabilities built into the AV system.

Audio in the space is delivered through a combination of speakers including 10 QSC AD-P4T pendant ceiling speakers, as well as four existing JBL CBT1000 front-of-house speakers and amplifiers to create an immersive audio experience for the audience. For further accessibility, a Sennheiser MobileConnect hearing assist solution was also installed.

A custom-branded TOP-TEC Gemini lectern serves as the control hub for the room’s audio visual connectivity options, also including a WolfVision Cynap Pure visualiser.

Sophisticated and practical Q-SYS control

The backbone of the AV system is built on the University's first fully integrated Q-SYS end-to-end AVoIP (AV over IP) solution, utilising twelve NV-32H devices. This AVoIP infrastructure ensures efficient distribution of audio and video signals throughout the space.

A QSC TSC-80-G3 touch panel with a bespoke-designed GUI is employed, controlling the entire system. This control panel seamlessly interacts with a Core 110F Audio DSP equipped with a control license, enabling comprehensive command over the AV equipment with a familiar and simple interface.

The collaboration of cutting-edge technology like LED and AVoIP means that Prince Edward Hall provides a high-spec, advanced learning environment for its students. The integration of interactive displays, high-quality audio and seamless control functionality enhances collaboration, engagement and productivity, making it a versatile space suited for a variety of teaching methods and learning styles.

An investment for the future

As well as being a cutting-edge learning environment for its students, Prince Edward Hall is also already proving itself to be a more than capable venue for large corporate University events. Having a versatile showpiece space like this represents a prudent investment that adds value to the University both in terms of attracting top talent and direct ROI through event ticketing.

With its sophisticated GVAV-installed audio visual capabilities, this space is perfectly suited for these types of engagements. Since its completion, the prestigious annual Vice Chancellor’s Awards have been held in the Hall, setting a successful precedent for hosting future events like this.

Whether it’s helping attract prospective new students, revolutionising the daily learning environment for existing students, or reinventing itself for countless other practical applications, the modernised Prince Edward Hall is a valuable new asset for the University as a versatile and aesthetic facility built for the future.

This project is the culmination of extensive planning and collaboration between GVAV, the University, Hewshott and PSCo. GVAV were able to draw from a wealth of internal and external industry experience to deliver the client’s ambitious requirements successfully and in good time.

“

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“Working with GVAV was a positive experience all round – they worked alongside us to make sure that the new AV system met our needs, delivered the ‘wow’ factor that we were looking for and created a learning environment that is second to none. The installation was seamless and the user training provided was positive for the end users. The University look forward to continuing to work with GVAV on future outstanding projects​​​​​​​.”

Adam Harvey

Solution Architect for AV & Digital Media at the University of Hertfordshire

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