The National Network of Science Learning Centres, comprising one National and nine regional centres, have been established to provide courses to enable science teachers and technicians to enhance their professional skills and knowledge across the traditional areas of science education whilst also addressing contemporary scientific ideas, techniques and teaching approaches. Claremont were appointed by the York Science Learning centre to provide high specification audiovisual systems for a number of different areas.
Location: York
Sector: Education
Scope of Works: Audio-visual
The Brief
Located within an iconic building equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the AV systems needed to be consistent with this vision. The project needed to be designed and installed in ways which fully integrate with other important parameters of the building; including aesthetics, functionality, local furnishings, mechanical and electrical provision — including heating and cooling systems—safety and security. The emphasis of the design should be on ‘self drive’ for both resident and visiting staff. The building needed to be ‘future-proofed’ both in terms of capacity and the ability to be progressively upgraded without the need for major system overhaul.
The Solution
Lecture Theatre Area
The area comprised a number of elements that would be able to be operated as discrete spaces, whilst at other times, would be able to be combined to provide a large single space accommodating up to 290 persons (or 280 + wheelchairs). The criteria for this area included:
Control of all source and environment equipment from touch panel
Interactive panel for display of annotation onto twin large screens
Appropriate boundary and radio microphone systems
Automatic/ semi-automatic control of sound & lighting levels.
Capability to transmit lectures to 15 remote locations and stream to web in ‘real time’
Capability to access and project data and video images onto the screens independently from different sources
Video Conferencing Suite
The video conferencing suite was supplied with appropriate technology to enable up to 30 members of the centre to join a virtual meeting with other colleagues at up to 15 remote location, using a twin screen system for people and data content.
Exhibition Area
Provision of flat screen panels configured to articulate and convey the nature and purpose of the national centre via matrix switching from 8 source devices.
Cafeteria
Flat screen panels and a projection system were fitted in the cafe area to allow for occasional use for conferencing, exhibition and after dinner presentations.
Meeting Room/ Offices
The meeting rooms and offices were equipped with dedicated and laptop PCs with interactive touch panels to allow electronic
whiteboard/ annotation sessions via ceiling-mounted projection systems.
Teaching Room Seminar Room/ ICT Room/ Laboratories
Interactive panel/ tablets were input into each room alond with their associated equipment. This enabled tutors to write notes with an electronic stylus and access and project data and video images from a variety of sources including video microscopes and document cameras.
Public Address & Hearing Enhancement Systems
Claremont were appointed to design, supply and instal the infrastructure and equipment for a public address system & Hearing Enhancement Systems to function effectively in key areas around the Centre