Poland - At 195m, the recently completed Skyliner office building in the new heart of the Warsaw Business District is one of the seven tallest buildings in Poland. A flagship investment for the Karimpol Group, it offers 49,000sq.m of office and retail space on 42 floors, with the prestigious Look Up event and conference space occupying the top two and providing spectacular 360-degree views of the city. Already almost fully booked with events leading up to Christmas, Look Up comprises a dividable modern conference and banquet space for up to 100 people on the 41st floor, and a stunning 270sq.m loft-style space with a 14.5m ceiling height on the 42nd floor, ready to accommodate up to 200 people. With elegant interior design helping to attract events ranging from dinners and product launches to conferences and parties, it was clear from the outset that the sound system at
UK - Taking its inspiration from street market culture, the recently opened Arcade Food Hall at the restored Battersea Power Station has seating for 500 customers and boasts 13 different cuisines on its menu. As well as the Food Hall, the 24,000sq.ft space also features two bars, three restaurants, and a private dining room and has been an instant hit with diners. Along with winning food and drink offerings, the space also hosts a wide variety of events, from product and PR launches to summer socials and music after parties. Given its multi-functional nature, premium audio was essential for the venue, with integrators HD Pro Audio (part of Marquee Group) engaged to design and install a suitable system. HD Pro Audio had previously carried out interim work and programming updates on Arcade’s existing Tottenham Court Road venue, having been introduced by a longstanding
Australia - Canberra’s Belconnen Art Centre has chosen Prolights' EclDisplay range as the main lighting system for its innovative Window Gallery, an exhibition gallery overlooking the street. The space operates in 24-hour mode and is visible from the outside, attracting the attention of passers-by at all times of the day, meaning a suitable lighting system was required. For this, Linda Buck - technical manager at Belconnen Art Centre - relied on Show Technology, Prolights' distributor in Australia, to select the new system. She explains: “The Window Gallery is a tricky space to deal with as you have light in the day coming through and then night time too. I decided to look at different options for profile-type lights in the gallery space that also had Casambi control.” Prolights’ EclDisplay range was ultimately selected, with the installation of spotlights in
Norway - When dining at a Michelin Guide restaurant, the focus isn’t usually on the audio - more often everyone’s eyes are focused on the plates of well-crafted food. However, Villa Heftye - a laid-back bistro in the heart of Oslo - recently took the focus away from revamping its ever-changing seasonal menu to renovate its listed restaurant with a custom Genelec sound system. Villa Heftye began life as a bank back in 1864. Commissioned by Jorgen Haslev Heftye and designed by Norwegian architect Georg Andreas Bull, it was bought in 2018 by local investor Runar Vatne for NOK 80 million. In 2021 the villa became restaurant Villa Heftye, an elegant yet casual bistro with an emphasis on French-inspired cuisine that uses seasonal Nordic ingredients. "The brief was to build an audio system with the best possible sound," begins Henning Dyngvold, founder of Appletify who in
Mexico - The Moon Palace is the biggest and busiest hotel and conference centre complex on Mexico’s sought-after eastern coast Riviera Maya region, just south of Cancun. Owned by Palace Resorts, the property offers three large indoor conference and event centres plus three substantial outdoor terraces and a beach venue, the latter of which can accommodate up to 10,000 people for concerts. All these spaces are operated via umbrella company Palace Productions which is also responsible for production and delivery of the constant and diverse stream of business and private events. Armando Manjarrez is the technical director of Quantum, Palace Productions’ technical services enterprise that supplies and co-ordinates all technical requirements - lighting, audio, and video - across the Moon Palace complex. Quantum owns substantial amounts of lighting, audio and video kit,
UK - A brand new contemporary art gallery has opened in Brighton’s cultural centre of North Laine where an extensive selection of contemporary art is complemented by a Void Acoustics system to entertain its patrons. Helm Gallery is co-owned by entrepreneur Luke Davis and art curator Eden Maseyk, who have realised their creative vision across 7,000 square feet set across two floors. This multi-purpose, inclusive arts space hosts unique art events; ‘sip and paint’ classes; and exclusive exhibitions from local and worldwide artists, as well as offering a dynamic social space where a resident DJ performs every weekend. Marquee AV were appointed to provide a stylish, high end music system which would enhance, but not detract from, the key focus of the space - the art adorning the walls. The gallery has been designed as a crisp, bright, modern white space with all fix
USA - Located in the Perkinson Music Centre at the 122-year-old private Millikin University in Decatur, IL, Kaeuper Hall is a 167-seat auditorium that has just taken delivery of the very first white Martin Audio Torus system, matched to the room décor. It is the Hall’s first ever permanently installed sound system, despite its multipurpose usage. “There was no PA in there previously, they had just been using speakers on sticks … since forever, yet it runs pretty much the whole gamut of performance,” according to designer Graeme Brown, whose company Advanced Audio & Lighting Systems carried out the integration. This includes events ranging from lectures to individual recitals and opera rehearsals to guest performances and intimate concerts. The university contacted his company for a quote, and Brown was soon on site carrying out a survey. His concern was no
France - Chaillot - Théâtre national de la Danse, one of France's six national theatres, is currently renovating its Salle Jean Vilar. The work is part of a dual drive to improve energy consumption and modernise stage design tools, including the replacement of existing lighting fixtures to ensure an early and carefully considered transition to LED technologies. Built in 1937, the TNC is an exceptional venue in Paris because of the place it occupies in the history of live performance in France with the creation of the Théâtre national populaire founded by Firmin Gémier, and subsequently supported and developed by Jean Vilar. It is also part of world history since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed here in 1948. Today, a cultural institution 100% dedicated to dance, in a location facing the Trocadéro fountains and the Eiffel Tower, the theatre com
Ireland - The International Rugby Experience celebrates the game at an international level and is located in the centre of Limerick City. Designed by architect Níall McLaughlin, the new seven-story building provides a space to draw visitors to Limerick, as well as providing a new hub for the local community. The International Rugby experience boasts six floors with 22 exhibits that follow the game from a community, grass roots level, up to the players, clubs and nations that have reached the top. To bring the immersive experience to life, The IRE (International Rugby Experience) turned to Rockbrook Group, local specialists in system integration, automation and AV, and commissioned them to deliver the complete integrated AV system for the entire project. There was a requirement for speakers that not only delivered exceptional audio but also blended seaml
Colombia - Hippotizer Media Servers have been installed at Caracol Televisión studios as part of a set upgrade for the popular singing competition Yo me Llamo (My Name Is). The network is one of the biggest clients for AV equipment supplier and production design company Visual in Motion, which regularly deploys LED screens, lighting fixtures and Media Servers to set. For the latest season of Yo me Llamo - where contestants mimic famous singers in live performances to be crowned winner - Visual in Motion collaborated with the network to design a set concept and specify LED screens, lighting, control, content and Media Server systems. The result was a decadent, classic theatre set complete with red velvet drapes, chandeliers and gold-framed LED screens driven by a Hippotizer Nevis+. “The main challenge that we encountered was the amount of
USA - The 700-seat historic Eichelberger Performing Arts Centre in Hanover, Pennsylvania recently renovated its theatre and upgraded its permanent audio system. After hearing through word of mouth about the new 1 Sound system in the Levoy Theatre, a venue similar in size and touring performers, Fitch Electronics who was contracted for the audio renovation at Eichelberger contacted 1 Sound for a demonstration. 1 Sound brought the proposed loudspeakers to the theatre for a demonstration with the team of Fitch Electronics and the director of Eichelberger Performing Arts Centre. The client heard the premium audio quality from the loudspeakers, felt that they worked aesthetically in the space, felt assured in the brand’s support, and quickly understood the quality of this investment. The Eichelberger building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is co
Austria - Take 2 Studios has selected Mo-Sys’ StarTracker Max for its new virtual studios. Located in Salzburg, Take 2 Studios’ objective is to provide clients with an agile, cost-effective, reliable and sustainable virtual production environment. Founded by sibling team Viktoria and Felix Brandstetter, who share a deep passion for creative, innovative and collaborative working, Take 2 Studios has already completed its first feature-length TV commercial project for one of the world’s leading automotive brands. The team has also quickly established a strong pipeline of opportunities underlined by a successful grand opening which attracted global interest. Viktoria Brandstetter explained, “I’ve always been involved with graphic design and marketing. Felix started out as an audio engineer before a love of technology and storytelling drew him to film, and ultimat
Indonesia - Perched on a hilltop on the southernmost tip of Bali island in Badung, White Rock Beach Club is a 3,000 capacity venue boasting breathtaking views over the Indian Ocean. It also features a Void Acoustics sound system throughout. The brief was to provide a new system offering exceptional sonics whilst complementing the clean modern design of the beach-club’s architecture. “Void’s unique speaker design and fibreglass outers were the perfect solution, addressing the desire for a distinctive look,” explains Suwandi Anggono, director of audio and AV integrator Indoteknik. The company, who are Void’s exclusive distributor in Indonesia, completed the design, specification, and integration of the system in its entirety. White Rock Beach Club is located on Melasti Beach and features an impressive DJ booth and lawn dance floor; cabanas; private suites; a r
UK - Tucked away in the bustling heart of Mayfair, Bacchanalia offers a distinctive dining experience that caters to all the senses. The gourmet restaurant, the vision of Richard Caring and his Caprice Holdings group, is inspired by the festive spirit of ancient Rome and serves a menu of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Its richly decorated interior hosts artwork from artists such as Damien Hirst. The restaurant has also built a reputation for entertainment, offering a mix of background music, live performances, and international DJ sets. To deliver this experience, Bacchanalia required a sound system that would seamlessly integrate dynamic sound with the space’s Greco-Roman-inspired environment. The priority was preserving the venue's aesthetic in the primary dining space and the adjoining Apollo's Muse members' club. To achieve this, Bacchanalia’s management te
France - From 23 June to 7 July 2023, the Capitole de Toulouse National Opera hosted Mefistofele, an opera adapted from Goethe's famous tragedy. Directed by Jean-Louis Grinda, the opera took place within a conch-shaped video set on which Arnaud Pottier's video creation was projected. With a base width of 15.75m, a top width of 8.70m and a height of over 9m, the imposing quarter sphere occupied the entire stage space of the Théâtre du Capitole, serving as an immersive backdrop for the artists on stage. While such a set offered perfect immersion in the heart of the work throughout the three-hour opera, the AV production team faced several challenges with its installation and calibration. Pierre-Emmanuel Triffault, head of audiovisual at the Capitole de Toulouse Opera, explains: "The main challenge came from the shape of this projection surface. How can we get
UK - Technology provider Pinnacle, in partnership with audio solutions distributor Audiologic, has successfully implemented a cutting-edge, flexible remotely managed Teams Room at Lubbock Fine, a prominent London accountancy and business advisory services firm. In response to the evolving demands of a hybrid workforce, and the need for seamless remote client interactions, Lubbock Fine sought to modernise its meeting room facilities. Their primary objective was to establish a Microsoft Teams Room that offered both flexibility in room layout and the ability to make changes remotely without requiring on-site technical support. The project began with the selection of Logitech Rally as the camera solution, primarily due to its compatibility with the existing room booking display portal. Consequently, the focus shifted to identifying the ideal audio solution for Lubbock Fine
Turkey - A mix of Vioso technology, including the company’s newly launched Vioso 6 projection software, is at the heart of an innovative, high-end new ‘dinner theatre’ in Mediterranean Turkey. Part of the Nirvana Cosmopolitan resort in Antalya’s district of Muratpaşa on Turkey’s south coast, Cosmos Performance & City Hall combines fine dining and immersive entertainment to offer patrons what it describes as a “unique synthesis of art, gastronomy, entertainment and technology”. After enjoying a four-course meal as well as cocktails from the on-site Cosmopolitan Bar, guests experience a one-and-a-half-hour immersive show incorporating choreography, a futuristic stage set, and striking 3D visuals courtesy of a 30-projector, multi-camera AV set-up integrated by major local player Atempo Group. Key to the installation are four Vioso Anystation Media
Spain - The Megapark in Mallorca, the largest open-air beer garden in Europe, has incorporated the new Ayrton Zonda 9 FX among its lighting fixtures. The Megapark space has a capacity of 5,000 people, blending elements of an open area with the influence of a coastal zone. It features a small stage that required powerful lighting capable of working in daytime and nighttime settings. In its design, several features have been taken into account to create an appealing ambiance in which the Zonda 9 FX lights have played a crucial role in delivering a unique experience. The latest acquisition and investment for this significant venue was the new Zonda 9 FX by Ayrton, a lighting fixture that has stood out for its advanced technology and creative possibilities, thanks to the versatility of its features and optical effects. Megapark has chosen to place them at the rear of the s
USA - Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has recently had a complete redesign of the lighting rig in its 4000-seat main auditorium, which was created and delivered by 46 Entertainment of Nashville, TN, a team of engineers and technical creatives specialisng in event production, design and management. At the centre of the current production lighting design is a 40ft diameter circular truss on a six-axis Kinesys automation system, which is rigged with 64 equidistantly spaced Robe LEDBeam 350s. “Transformation Church has been a client of 46 Entertainment for the last 13 months,” explained project manager, Noah Wilbanks. They work with 46 to reimagine the lighting and technical design every six months or so; a task that is achieved utilising a collection of the church’s own kit purchased from different companies over the years, together with some renta
USA - Biamp is helping create a truly haunting environment through sound for the Angel of Light immersive horror theatre experience at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, integrating Biamp Community and Desono loudspeakers, subwoofers, and Tesira digital signal processors (DSPs) and amplifiers to power one of the largest live theatre immersive experiences in the world. The show consists of more than 30 separate experience rooms that provide multi-dimensional sound emanating from more than 300 speakers, providing clarity that envelops guests in an immersive soundscape. The soundscape is combined with projection mapping, shifting light, power strobe lights, incredible live action performances, and unique set designs, to transport attendees back to Old Hollywood in 1935. There, guests are guided through the multi-room experience to witness the gripping and terrifyi
UK - Belimo is a market leader in the development, production, and sales of field devices for the energy-efficient control of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Their UK office, located in Shepperton, Surrey, wanted to create an experience centre that would display their products and services, as well as provide a space for training, meetings, and events for their customers and partners. Belimo approached Marquee One, part of Marquee Installations, and based on the same business park, to design and install a bespoke AV solution that would meet their needs and expectations. Marquee One Director, Luke Nowacki, welcomed the enquiry and arranged a meeting with Richard Steel, the Belimo UK technical manager. Nowacki needed to find out exactly what was required and how they wanted to use the room, to design a specific, tailored solution. Steel explain
UK - Located on a site once famed for the production of large quantities of watercress, the recently created Winchester Auto Barn and Drivers’ Club facility sits in the Hampshire countryside near Alresford. Converted from a large refrigerated production area with offices above, the site now comprises a workshop and showroom, and also offers 30,000sq.ft of easy-to-access premium indoor and outdoor storage packages for classic cars, motorcycles, motor homes and boats. The former office space has been refurbished as a drivers’ club, with communal areas and a board room. Close attention was paid to its interior design, creating a relaxing space which also includes audio and video systems. Auto Barn director, Niall Holden, engaged Bradford-based Pro Audio Systems (PAS) to supply its requirements which included a zoned audio system and discreet recessed projection scree
Venezuela - For over six decades Venevision has been one of Venezuela’s major free-to-air television networks, known for producing and broadcasting a variety of programmes, including news, entertainment shows, telenovelas (soap operas) and more. Responsible for selecting and playing audio content, such as music and effects, for the network’s live and recorded events are Manuel Amengual, supervisor of the music and post-production department, and Omar Noguera, chief engineer for the audio department. With ageing equipment causing reliability issues and other impracticalities, the team was tasked with sourcing a reliable and efficient solution to replace the TV studio’s outdated audio workflow. As a past Sonic Solution DAW user and owner, Amengual was keen to explore Swiss pro audio specialist, Merging Technologies’ offering and contacted its local dealer, Mario
Algeria - Electro-Voice loudspeakers and Dynacord electronics are at the heart of the recently completed New Stadium of Tizi Ouzou. The 50,000-seat venue is the home of JS Kabylie and has been built to exacting UEFA standards, covering everything from the pitch to the capabilities of the technical equipment installed - prompting the selection of the EN-54-rated Electro-Voice EVH loudspeakers and Dynacord IPX amplifiers. The audio system was designed by Turkish Electro-Voice and Dynacord partner, Atempo. The company has worked on a variety of stadium projects and understands exactly what is needed to meet the expected standards while also allowing a venue the flexibility to host non-sporting events. It was the real-world performance combined with the technical specs that made Electro-Voice and Dynacord the right selection for the New Stadium of Tizi Ouzou. “Power ampl
