British Academy enters new era with d&b sound systems.
As part of a major remodelling, d&b audiotechnik sound systems were chosen by digital consultant Recursive and integrator Media Powerhouse to deliver quality sound for new interior event spaces at The British Academy, one of the UK’s most prestigious centres for the humanities and social sciences. . .
Having occupied its current site at Carlton House Terrace, in London’s exclusive St. James’s Park, since 1998, The British Academy recently undertook a major redevelopment project. Led by architects Wright & Wright, it aimed to transform the maze of unused rooms in the lower levels of the 19th century building into versatile, modern event spaces with state-of-the-art audio-visual infrastructure. As part of that, loudspeaker systems from d&b audiotechnik were specified to provide high-quality, flexible but discreet audio solutions.
A state-of-the-art AV upgrade for a Grade 1 listed building
Recursive was responsible for the AV technical specification and the integration contract was awarded to Media Powerhouse. Managing the AV systems for the ground floor and upper levels, they successfully turned the space into three technologically advanced event facilities.
Together, these new rooms were to support the Academy’s growing programme of academic, cultural and commercial events – while preserving the Grade 1 listed building’s architectural integrity. To achieve this, the project required close coordination between technical, architectural and conservation stakeholders, along with manufacturers, including d&b audiotechnik.
Of the choice of d&b loudspeaker systems, Benjamin Thomas-Lewin of Media Powerhouse says, “Among many factors, d&b’s proven track record, product quality and ecosystem made them the obvious choice. With the help of ArrayCalc we were able to model and subsequently deliver high-quality results. Working closely with architects Wright & Wright, d&b’s products allowed us to find a balanced solution that preserved aesthetics whilst delivering high quality audio.”
d&b’s xS and xC-Series deliver the right spec
The lower ground floor now includes three double-height multiple-use venues – the Lecture Room, the SHAPE Room and the Wohl Gallery. Each space offers a different visual identity, with a tailored technical configuration designed to meet a variety of needs including conferences, seminars, performances, screenings, streamed hybrid meetings and exhibitions. The Academy’s tech team can reconfigure rooms quickly and efficiently, combining or isolating them as the situation demands.
The Lecture Room is dominated by a 4m x 4m LED videowall, its custom square format fitting the room’s double height. Providing sound here, either side of the screen, are wall-mounted 24C columns, with four ultra-compact 44S loudspeakers serving as delays, mounted flush within the walls using the specially designed 44S back box and grille. To further blend seamlessly with the room’s aesthetic, their grilles are custom colour-matched.
The Wohl Gallery features a similar arrangement, with two 24C column loudspeakers left and right, plus four 44S in-wall delays, again with custom grilles. The SHAPE Room also features a system drawn from the xS-Series: two flown 24S loudspeakers, plus two flown B8 subwoofers. Amplification throughout is provided by d&b’s 10D and 5D installation-specific amplifiers.
Commenting on the resulting sound, Thomas-Lewin says, “The power and clarity behind d&b’s products never fails to impress us. We’ve been able to deliver a compact and aesthetically desirable solution without compromising on audio quality. Knowing that we can place our trust in both software and hardware from d&b will always prove invaluable.”
Timely, on-brief and well-received
The British Academy’s in-house team now have access to three purpose-built venues, each delivering high-spec AV, either on its own or in combination with the others, making the event facilities more accessible, flexible and revenue-generating than before.
Despite the complex, multi-party delivery process, strict design constraints and fixed completion window, the installation was completed on schedule, with the building’s protected status respected at all times. The result is a beautiful balance of heritage interiors and 21st century technical infrastructure that provides a world-class activity hub for this leading seat of research.
Professor Julia Black, President of The British Academy, concludes, “I think it’s going to inject a new sense of vibrancy into the building, a new sense of life. We can do so much more with our new rooms and our new spaces.”
