TVC Technology Solutions, part of Bolton-based TVD Group, partnered with Kindred Concepts, a new global venture created to develop experiential leisure concepts, on behalf of Formula 1. The F1 Arcade, in the heart of the City of London, offers a best-in-class full-motion simulator racing experience designed to convey all the speed and thrills of F1 motor racing.
Key to the F1 Arcade project was creating a fully immersive sensory AV experience that recreates all the noise, splendour, and excitement of F1 racing. The zoning of the audio was critical, from the world-building entrance that sets the scene with LED strip lighting and sounds of F1 engines, to the party atmosphere of the DJ booth and bar. To support the 60-strong line-up of motion F1 simulators, TVC was tasked with enhancing the social and competitive element of F1 Arcade with multiple large-screen TVs, a multi-zone audio system and an attention-grabbing LED video wall display.
Devised by Adam Breeden, the man behind London’s most popular entertainment venues, including Flight Club, Puttshack, and Bounce, the F1 Arcade is the first immersive state-of-the-art racing simulation venue in full association with the Formula 1 motorsport brand. The F1 Arcade joins a growing list of high-profile AV projects for TVC Technology Solutions.
“We came highly recommended to Kindred Concepts after one of the key stakeholders was involved in a previous leisure project we worked on at Puttshack, Watford,” said Lucia Maguire, managing director at TVD Group. “Our expertise in delivering amazing results in experiential leisure venues over the past 27 years, along with our buying power and team of experienced engineers, meant that we were ideally placed to lead the AV installation for this prestigious central London protect.”
The project involved strict deadlines, working alongside and often around other trades and the logistical challenges of the central London site. There were also strict regulations on noise levels – both during the work and when the venue is up and running. With offices above the main location and buildings attached either side, the audio system was carefully designed to deliver high SPL entertainment in the main areas while keeping acoustic leakage to a strictly controlled minimum.
TVC placed a senior engineer onsite to lead the project from start to finish, trusted contractors, and the support of the office-based TVC Projects team who managed the supply chain and scheduling throughout. TVC is a division of the TVD Group, which has recently become employee owned, and is a leading UK provider in audio visual solutions on both commercial and domestic fronts.
In keeping with the themed venue concept, the installed AV and display technologies needed to allow game participants and spectators to fully engage in the F1 Arcade Hub, interactively accessing games, purchase exclusive products and access VIP experiences. The AV install list includes displays for in-game telemetry, pit wall screens showing race data, and a large LED video wall at the top of the internal stairs.
In addition to the F1 action, the installation also involved large commercial and LED displays for live 4K feed content from Sky and BT Sports channels around the venue, and an eye-catching LG 86in UHD large-screen display in the prestigious private dining area.
The resulting venue has set the blueprint for F1’s roll-out of F1 Arcade’s globally, with TVC advising on the imminent USA venue project.
“The F1 Arcade has been an amazing project to work on,” added Maguire, “and we feel very proud to have been an integral part of bringing this ground-breaking concept to life. The venue looks, sounds and feels spectacular, bristling with the excitement, noise and passion of F1 racing.”
