Germany - The Hamburg Congress Centre (CCH), one of Europe's most historic convention facilities, has completed a five-year renovation that marries the latest technology with sustainability. Central to this transformation is the installation of the L Series line source array from L-Acoustics.
Built in 1973 and protected as a historic landmark, the CCH has long been a cornerstone of the European convention scene. The recent renovation, led by consultants Graner + Partner, aimed to modernise the facility while preserving its rich heritage. "It makes a huge difference to be able to deliver the very highest quality to our clients – from the architecture to the audio," says Dominik Schenke of Graner + Partner. "The L-Acoustics L Series breathes new life into the building and opens up endless possibilities for its future."
The installation of the L-Acoustics system was executed by Protones GmbH & Co. KG, a full-service provider based in Lüneburg. Benjamin Schulenkorf, technical managing director at Protones led the project at the CCH, bringing his expertise to this landmark installation.
The CCH's commitment to sustainability was a key factor in choosing L-Acoustics as a partner. The venue recently achieved Gold Certification from the German Sustainable Building Council, becoming the first German convention centre to do so.
"From the outset, we were looking for a partner that shared our values and would be able to meet our sustainability standards," Gralf Krüger, head of sound at CCH explains. "L-Acoustics was a perfect match."
The L Series loudspeakers align perfectly with the CCH's eco-friendly goals. Compared to traditional line arrays, the L Series offers significant material savings: using 56% less paint, 30% less wood and 60% less steel in the manufacturing process. Moreover, the L Series takes up less space and weighs less than comparable systems, occupying 30% less volume and weighing 25% less than equivalent line source arrays. This efficiency translates to reduced transportation costs and lower carbon footprint.
A selection of audio systems were designed and tested, with the L-Acoustics L Series chosen after rigorous testing, primarily for its superior audio quality and speech intelligibility – crucial factors for the diverse range of events hosted at the CCH. The L Series system was designed using L-Acoustics Soundvision in collaboration between Graner + Partner, Protones and audio consultant Rûdiger Aue.
The main hall features a left/centre/right configuration, with one L2 and L2D speaker forming the left and right arrays, complemented by a centre cluster of one A10i Focus over two A10i Wide speakers. Four KS21 subwoofers per side, in cardioid configuration, are ground-stacked on either side of the stage while two X8 are mounted either side of the stage for out-fill, and eight 5XT are placed across the stage lip for in-fill. Two additional hangs of one A10i Focus over one A10i Wide provide stage monitoring. The whole system is powered by L-Acoustics LA7.16i amplified controllers.
The L-Acoustics installation is integrated into a sophisticated media technology network that spans the entire CCH. This network includes Q-SYS Core processors in various halls and utilises Dante audio-over-IP protocol, providing unprecedented flexibility and connectivity. "Our long-standing relationship with CCH and extensive network technology expertise during planning and installation has allowed us to develop a comprehensive in-house audio network that connects all venues, including Hall 1," explains Schulenkorf.
"Although the system is discreet in size, the output is amazing," Schenke notes. "It means we can meet the requirements of any client without a problem."
The renovation has expanded the CCH's capacity to 12,000 people, with the largest hall seating 3,000. An extensive Dante-based audio network enables connectivity between all halls, providing unparalleled flexibility for various event types.
"For decades, the CCH has been pushing boundaries and setting the standard for what is possible in the conventions sector," Schenke concludes. "This renovation ensures we will continue to do just that for many more to come."
