FEATURES: INSTALLATION
Returning to the stage
Oasis Enterprises has taken charge of another full AV fit-out at a brand-new auditorium in the UAE. Simon Luckhurst takes to the stage HAVING BEEN HANDED TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE construction of a brand-new auditorium at Al Mawakeb School earlier in 2019, Dubai-based distributor and systems integrator Oasis Enterprises had already proved its capability far exceeded the simple erection of a ceiling-mounted lighting bar. Like several other companies in the region, the distributor’s remit has broadened significantly in recent years as it evolves beyond pure distribution to a full-service business model. Oasis’ all-encompassing work on the previous project clearly did not go unnoticed. With a similar desire to hold its own large-scale productions and events in-house, the Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) approached Oasis with grand visions of its own. The result is another completely new auditorium construction, with Oasis serving as overall general contractor and handed free reign over all aspects of the design, from acoustic absorption right through to the seating materials and carpet pattern. ‘In this digital age, schools and universities are increasingly integrating cutting-edge pro AVL technologies in auditoriums in order to modernise the campus experience for their students,’ notes Oasis GM, Basel Al Aref. ‘As a company, we take total responsibility in delivering that.’ While Oasis had surely learnt some lessons at the previous site, the new auditorium at AAESS came with an additional set of constraints and challenges. Senior project manager of Oasis’ professional projects division, Wessam Abd El Wahed, steered operations through to completion from the outset. ‘Having seen the result of our last fit-out, our client appointed us to create
36 PRO AVL MEA Januar y–Februar y 2020
a similar experience at AAESS,’ he explains. ‘We first stepped inside the new building at the beginning of April, which meant we had just a couple of months to complete everything – the gypsum ceiling and acoustic walls, the seats, carpets, wooden stage flooring, curtain system, stage lighting and AV systems. It’s easily been the fastest realisation of a project ever for Oasis Enterprises.’ The parallels between the two projects are great. From an AV perspective, the designs are remarkably similar, just with a different set of equipment accomplishing the end result. Yet, the extra time constraint, in tandem with negotiating with a multitude of subcontractors, meant that a copy-and-paste-type methodology would never work. ‘In April, we began arranging and placing orders for all subcontractors so that the work would start on time,’ notes El Wahed. ‘We had many meetings with our subcontractors to discuss issues and avoid any mis-planning. It was important we applied the proper pressure to everybody, and I was in control to avoid any slipping of the timeframe. This has enabled us to complete the whole project in less than 100 days and without any delay.’ With the acoustic treatment forming one of the costliest aspects of such a project, some changes to the materials were made to meet budget requirements, resulting in the selection of 25mm-thick WoodWorld acoustic foam boards wrapped in Cara fabric from Camira. To retain upgradability, Oasis has also provided provision behind the panelling for additional speakers and power lines for future system upgrades.
L-R loudspeaker hangs comprise FBT Mitus
ETC SourceFour and ColorSource fixtures are flown overhead of the audience
