Reflex has upgraded the AV systems of Easthampton Park inside and out, to allow the conference venue to better serve the variety of events hosted at the Grade II listed building.
Easthampton Park is a Victorian mansion in Berkshire used as a conference and wedding venue, with a customer base including local authorities, corporate clients, as well as family celebrations and weddings. Events range from corporate meetings and training, through to post-grad courses and educational conferences.
The brief for Reflex was to integrate a digital control and connection system for the Downshire Room, which is the venue’s largest conference room, and the three first floor meeting rooms. The brief also stated that the technology used needed to take into account the historic nature of the building, be hidden when not in use and be easy for all users to operate.
An additional requirement was for an outside audio system in the Wedding Pavilion, which is an open-air wedding area within the grounds.
In the Downshire Room, the existing short throw projection needed an upgrade as well as the electric screen, push button automated control system and audio system.
The new solution included an NEC P502HL 5,000 ANSI lumen HD laser projector, a new tab tensioned electric screen, which was fitted in front of decorative curtains and disappears into the ceiling when not in use.
A Crestron wall mounted touch panel makes it simple to use and centrally controls the AV equipment, lights and blinds. A Barco Clickshare CSM allows users to wirelessly share laptop content onto the screen and the existing microphone system, which suffered from interference, has now been upgraded to a Revolabs system. All source connections are distributed to a Crestron DMPS3-200-C presentation unit located within an equipment cabinet and a TeamMate VariHite lectern at the front of the room can be height adjusted to allow use by anybody including wheelchair users.
In the three first floor meeting spaces, AMX push button wall controllers were installed for easy control of existing projection equipment, along with Extron amplifiers, receivers and wall plates.
For the Wedding Pavilion, the objective was to give all speakers confidence in front of the assembled guests, whilst ensuring maximum clarity of sound, achieved through a comprehensive audio system.
Hanging from the pavilion ceiling, a pair of Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser microphones was chosen for their robust construction and unobtrusive appearance. The supercardioid pickup ensures all nuances of the performance can be heard, without feedback. One microphone is directed towards the bride and groom and the other towards the wedding official.
Outside, on each side of the pavilion, is a microphone connection point in a weatherproof housing, for the use of other speakers outside of the building. Two wired handheld microphones on boom mounts connect to the points at the front of pavilion.
In terms of the project as a whole, working on a Grade II listed building meant it was a priority that the AV system fitted adhered to the historic aesthetics of the building. It also had to be delivered within a tight timescale, with the Reflex team working during the evenings to ensure it was completed on time. The whole installation was delivered in just four and a half days, to be ready for a wedding on the afternoon of day five.
The AV upgrade has created multipurpose spaces adaptable for both business and private functions.
Stewart Neil, operations manager for Easthampstead Park, commented: “The equipment in all our meeting rooms now just works – first time, every time. This is critical for our clients.
“We have tried numerous audiovisual companies over the years, but they have always struggled to understand our requirements – marrying our need for a system that is not too visible with a simplicity needed for clients. We were impressed with the solution offered by Reflex from the very first technical drawing right the way through to installation and commissioning.”
