Bringing together departments and faculties that were previously spread across the city, as well as providing a new cultural hub, the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities represents a new type of space where the University’s faculties and some of the world’s leading artists and technologists can coexist and work together.

With Raven AV’s experience of d&b Audiotechnik’s Soundscape platform, as well their links to Charcoalblue, the project’s Theatre Consultants, and Stage Electrics, the contractor awarded the main audiovisual infrastructure package, we were tasked by Creative Technology to deliver the separate specialist audio package comprising of a portable sound system in the Centre’s Concert Hall, as well as the high resolution spatial audio system that makes up the venue’s Black Box.

In a role that required relationship management as much as technical expertise, we provided the project management, specialist rack building and cable termination services, and installation and commissioning labour on behalf of Creative Technology. This was in addition to helping refine the original design intent provided by both Charcoalblue and d&b in order to best react to new technological developments since the original tender, as well as meet the evolving needs of the venue’s new operation and technical teams, all while ensuring that Creative Technology’s audio systems could dovetail seamlessly with Stage Electric’s installed infrastructure.

With an initial cultural programme consisting of works from Sigur Ros, Refik Anadol, and Es Devlin, the Schwarzman Centre is already looking to present a unique offering as part of the UK’s cultural landscape.