A bright Spark technology solution

Southampton Solent University is an internationally renowned institution with world-leading facilities. The University chose Visavvi to integrate their £30m ‘The Spark’ building with revolutionary teaching, events, and conferencing technology.

Challenge

From early in the design stage the objectives were to deliver world class audio visual and collaboration technology that would enable the university to deliver exceptional digital learning experience for students, staff and visitors.

Visavvi worked closely with our internal IT teams and consultants. They have not only ensured integration with our existing technology platforms but also helped us deliver a new standard for digitally enhanced teaching that has been well received by students and academic staff alike.”

Solution

With a demanding range of requirements, the contract called for innovation and creative thinking in each area of the installation, from the giant atrium videowall down to easy-to-use room system controllers.

The POD

The key display facility inside The Pod is a 6×2 videowall installed in a bespoke curved mounting frame, comprising twelve 46” Samsung commercial grade screens, mounted in portrait mode.

As in the other lecture theatres, the functionality of the AV system is built around an Extron control and switching solution. This provides the ability to connect all the required sources including PCs, Bluray players, document cameras and mobile devices.

Audio is controlled via an Extron system, allowing for a surround sound configuration for sources that support this natively. As in the lecture theatres and classrooms, the control system, visualiser and source equipment is housed in a bespoke Academy lectern.

Atrium

Video wall

A giant 7x4m 2.5mm fine pitch Samsung LED videowall creates a stunning visual focal point within the spacious contemporary Atrium. Perfect for showcasing content from faculties across the campus, the wall also provides the perfect backdrop for presentations and events.

Video wall audio

The digital audio infrastructure system was designed to facilitate use of the Atrium as a flexible, multi-functional space. Easy set-up and configuration of different scenarios is possible via a digital patch panel included in the digital mixing console.

Digital signage

A digital signage network throughout the Atrium area comprises twelve Samsung 40” screens with flat wall mounts. The screen content is delivered via Samsung MagicInfo Premium software.

Classrooms

The 31 standard classrooms have each been equipped with a 70” CleverTouch display and a bespoke Academy AV lectern with USB visualiser, VGA/HDMI input plate and Visavvi OneTouch 6-button control panel for source selection and screen on/off.

In seven dual teaching rooms, 70” interactive displays are mounted on mobile adjustable trolleys, complete with a Barco ClickShare wireless collaboration system.

A custom-built AV lectern in each room is nominated as the system master, with a slave trolley receiving audio and video from the master via a single CAT6 cable. Double rooms featuring a moveable partition benefit from the addition of a Quadra ‘sit or stand’ laptop table.

Lecture theatres

Two distinctly different lecture theatres are located below ground level. In a departure from standard ‘raked’ seating, the Palmerston Theatre is a Harvard-styled environment arranged in a horseshoe design to promote group working.

The two lecture theatre systems feature the familiar control interface used in other teaching spaces, using an Extron control and switching solution.

Projection in the Jane Austen theatre is via a 12,000 lumen Christie D12WU projector, complete with dual DVI picture-in-picture modules. This provides maximum flexibility for displaying multiple images. In addition, a touch screen monitor connected to the in-house PC enables presenters to annotate over the PC image.

Due to the circular seating in the Palmerston theatre, projection is provided by an Epson EB-L1100u 6,000 lumen laser projector, complete with short throw UST lens.

In both theatres all control equipment, including a HoverCam Ultra8 visualiser and Extron touch control panel is housed in a bespoke Academy lectern, including a two-button ClickShare collaboration unit.