Integrator 3S explains how the auditorium at Distrii, Singapore was equipped with AV systems that help it function as the facility’s modern meeting and collaboration space.
The auditorium at Distrii, a co-working space located in the heart of the central business district of Singapore, serves as an
example of how larger meeting
spaces have had to adapt to new
corporate requirements. The
space is large enough to serve
as a venue to hold town halls
and conferences. However, the
ambience and interior design
is in line with modern trends
to reduce formality and to
encourage collaboration.
Bright natural lighting and a
flexible seating area are two key
features of the auditorium.
AV systems at the auditorium
were the responsibility of
integrator 3S. David Teo from 3S
says: “All the responsibilities for
AV, from the design of the systems
to the deployment, testing and
commissioning, were handled
by us. The overall project was
quite massive when it came to
IT systems, but for AV the main
component was the auditorium.
Our job was to ensure that the AV
systems fit into the overall scheme
of things with the IT systems.”
Providing quality audio for the
auditorium was one of the core
requirements from Distrii. Teo
says: “Our original plan was to
specify Bose column speakers
and to have them wall mounted
on the pillars in the auditorium.
But as we pursued this plan and
got access to the space, we
realised that the dimensions of
the auditorium did not allow us
to use column speakers.”
Teo continues: “However,
during the course of the project,
the Bose EdgeMax became
available on the market at just
the perfect time. It allowed us to
switch to a different design for
audio which made use of ceiling
speakers instead without
sacrificing anything in terms
of quality and cost efficiency.”
Bose EdgeMax EM90 and
EM180 speakers are used for
audio along with a Bose PM8250
unit which serves as the DSP
and amplifier. Teo says: “Bose
products are known for having
great quality. But for the Distrii
auditorium it was important that
we selected and deployed the
right models. We’ve used the
EM90 and the EM180 models
which provide 90-degree and
180-degree coverage respectively.
These fit into our audio design
to ensure full coverage for the
auditorium.”
Teo also sheds light on how
Bose and 3S worked together to
further fine tune the speakers for
the auditorium: “Bose provided
us great support throughout the
project. The usual roof clearance
for the EdgeMax speakers is 5m.
But the Distrii auditorium has
a roof height that measures
between 6.7m and 7m. Bose
helped us reconfigure and
adjust the audio system and
the speakers to make sure that
this was not an issue.”
Audio-Technica AT-W1322
wireless microphones are
provided for audio input.
Teo talks about the main
challenge when designing and
deploying the audio system:
“The auditorium at Distrii is
unique because it features really
large glass windows. These are
great for providing the space
with natural light but, as
everyone knows, glass
makes the environment very
acoustically challenging. On
top of this, the auditorium has
blinds which can be drawn to
completely cover the windows,
and this changes the acoustic
characteristics of the space
completely. It was almost as
if we had to deliver one audio
system for two completely
different scenarios. We managed
this by being vigilant during
the design phase of the project
and the selection of the Bose
EdgeMax speakers.”
A 4 x 4 videowall comprising LG
55-in flat panels serves as the main
visual display in the auditorium.
On the back-end, the video system
is managed by an Aten VM1600 16
x 16 modular matrix.
Regarding the selection of
the matrix, Teo says: “We chose
the Aten matrix specifically due
to the flexibility of inputs and
outputs it provided for this
particular deployment.
“The fact that the Aten switcher
is a hardware-based solution was
also a plus for this project. This
meant that we could make the
video system power redundant.”
Kramer PT571 transmitters
and PT572 receivers are used to
transmit the video signals from
the Aten switcher to the LG panel
videowall.
Barco Clickshare is used to
provide wireless connectivity.
Teo says: “When discussing
connectivity and inputs with
Distrii’s IT department, we were
told that connectivity ports
might be locked down on devices
for security reasons. However,
USB ports are always a safe
option due to the fact that
they provide functionality and
connectivity which is essential
for devices to work. This meant
that Barco Clickshare with its
dongle was an option that fitted
perfectly with what we wanted.”
A unique feature of the AV
installation at Distrii is the use
of Kramer Control. Teo says: “To
the best of our knowledge, this is
one of the first deployments of
Kramer Control in Asia Pacific.
We are happy to be the first but
our decision was primarily
motivated by providing the
best solution to our client.”
Control for the AV systems at
Distrii is provided by a Kramer
SL240 processor along with an
Apple iPad. The Kramer control
processor was employed
specifically because of the range
of connectivity it provided which
includes four RS232 options, four
relay options, four IR options and
4 GPI/O options.
Teo says: “The Kramer Control
platform is very convenient
and user friendly. It provides
web-based, drag and drop
programming and designing
GUIs is also very easy.”
Lutron products are used for
lighting. RS232 is used to connect
the lighting system and integrate
it with the Kramer Control
system.
Teo summarises the overall
experience for the project:
“Working on the Distrii
auditorium installation was great.
We had a client that was very
supportive of our vision and
manufacturers who helped us
along the entire length of the
project. We wanted to deliver
an AV system that met the end
user’s requirements and I feel that
we have accomplished that. The
deployed audio, video and control
systems help the auditorium
function and there are provisions
for rental partners to come and
expand on the systems.”