Visual Focus was engaged to design and construct all aspects of the AV system for the new $10M Edmund Rice Performing Arts Center.

Knowing that technologies change quickly and upgrading in the future is a necessity, and emphasis was put on getting the base infrastructure right to allow a smooth upgrade process in the school’s yearly budgets. Extra Power and Data infrastructure was delivered in all key locations for the AV system to enable quick and painless upgrades well into the future.

A Crestron Control system allows for switching between basic presentation modes for assemblies, allowing anyone to quickly turn on lights, microphones and switch feeds to projectors, or Advanced operation mode engaging the installed Allen & Heath and Chamsys consoles for complete control of every parameter.

Consistent audio coverage in a room that is significantly wider than it is long and with a modest ceiling height brought challenges to the audio design team.

A Beta 3 ribbon line array was chosen due to its wide coverage and small box footprint. Other systems modeled in the room needed too many boxes to get coverage in the rear of the room, resulting in the PA hanging too low for practical use in a school environment. The system consisting of 4x 2×12 subwoofers, and 16x top boxes gives the school the SPL and impact when pushed, as well as the clarity needed for yearly musical productions.