1REBEL

COMPANY: EM Acoustics LOCATION: Dubai, UAE

Having built its reputation around the UK and beyond with boutique fitness facilities in various locations, 1REBEL launched in the UAE earlier this year, opening its first branch in Dubai. Requiring a first-rate level of AV production and technology, local distributor and integrator Levels AV was awarded the project during the design and project commercialisation phase, overseen by Turner & Townsend project management.

The installation called for high-end audio and lighting across a variety of specific workout zones and over 40 EM Acoustics loudspeakers and subwoofers were deployed to supply the high-octane soundtrack intrinsic to the workout experience across an area of 10,000 sq ft.

“1REBEL was clear about the level of AV system that this project required. Its gyms have an impressive reputation, and part of the appeal is the polished look and party atmosphere of the 1REBEL experience,” explained Hassan Alwan, Levels AV Managing Partner. “The products installed needed to reflect this. This 1REBEL project required nightclub-quality sound across a variety of zones in what is their first open-plan gym. We needed high-quality loudspeakers that could be relied upon to produce crystalline audio across a mixture of music genres,” explained Alwan.

“EM Acoustics was an obvious choice for this project. Its loudspeakers are powerful for their size and deliver matchless audio quality meaning we could ensure smooth, even sound coverage without interfering with the overall modern, industrial aesthetic. The range of flexible rigging and mounting options meant we could get sound where we needed it across all areas of the gym.”

Six EMS-81X high-output loudspeakers and S-15 and S48 subwoofers are set up in the RIDE room, while the RESHAPE room also features six EMS-81X loudspeakers, supplemented by two S-12 subwoofers. Intended for personal sessions and individual training, the Open Gym area features overhead custom lighting, contributing to the ‘nightclub’ atmosphere. Levels AV deployed eight EMS-61 two-way loudspeakers in this area, ensuring even coverage across the gym floor. Guaranteeing a continuation of the party atmosphere, not even the changing rooms were overlooked, with four EMS-41 loudspeakers fitted in both the male and female facilities, compact models ideal for providing discreet yet coherent audio. Consolidating the atmosphere of the entire 1REBEL facility, background audio in the reception area is supplied by two compact EMS-51 loudspeakers.

Throughout 1REBEL Dubai, all sound and systems are controlled via Xilica, with Linea Research amplifiers driving all of the EM Acoustics loudspeakers and subwoofers. Reflecting on the outcome, Alwan of Levels AV asserted that EM Acoustics was the right product for the project: “We’re thoroughly pleased with the end result at 1REBEL and believe that we’ve crafted a Sporting AV experience unlike any other. The different spaces each required unique solutions, and with EM Acoustics loudspeakers we’re confident that the system provides the uncompromised sound quality and complete coverage required for the immersive workout experience users expect from a name such as 1REBEL.” www.emacoustics.co.uk

H&M COMPANY: Leyard Europe

LOCATION: London, UK

At the end of last year, H&M unveiled its redesigned flagship store on London’s Regent Street, featuring cutting-edge, generative artwork displayed on a double 4K resolution LED screen from Leyard Europe. One of Europe’s largest indoor LED screens, it was installed by London-based LEDTek Solutions. The LED screen, which frames a set of escalators and fills the entire rear wall of the store, has been designed to showcase a series of progressive and stylish digital materials that complement the aesthetic of the brand and act as an extension of the H&M’s elevated architecture.

Created by London-based design and technology studio Hirsch & Mann in collaboration with H&M and with the support of the Creative Coding company Variable, this unique system continuously evolves throughout the day by responding to customer activity on the escalator. This constant live generation of materials results in unexpected, beautiful and dynamic visuals dancing across the 4,200 pixel-wide by 3,536 pixel-high (10.5m by 9.5m) 2.5mm Leyard LED screen in rich double 4K detail.

“The artwork’s materials have been curated to be highly glossy in their aesthetic, allowing them to reflect lighting and colours of digital environments within their 3D scene, as well as have more depth,” explained Daniel Hirschmann, CEO at Hirsch & Mann.

He further noted that as customers move up and down the escalator, a series of 3D depth cameras attached to the store’s ceiling track each person’s position on the escalators, creating the effect of ripples and folds on the material behind the person, like a trail.

When more than three people use the escalator simultaneously and are standing in close proximity, the system smartly interprets their presence as a collective which can manipulate the material as a single force, further adding to H&M’s customers’ experience.

The system also caters for quick and easy updates to the generative artwork through its live schedule and allows the H&M team to perform LED canvas takeovers through its content management system.

“We are thrilled to see our LED solution as the centre piece of H&M’s flagship store in one of the world’s most prestigious lifestyle destinations,” said Leyard Europe’s Luke Marler-Hausen. “We were approached with a unique set of challenges that suited our products perfectly. The wall also had to be installed in a very tight space which was less than 30cm from the wall to the escalators, so it needed to be bright, to be delivered in a very short time span and be super dependable.

“Our AT series was the clear winner here. It boasts a depth of only 29.5mm utilising the very latest in LED technology that we also manufacture in Slovakia here in the EU. It uses a fanless design with remote ‘hot swap’ power supplies enabling seamless operation with very few moving parts. We are so confident in the product that we backed it with a lifetime warranty!” All of these technology advancements reduced instore power requirements, supporting H&M’s green ethos which Leyard is also fully committed to whilst delivering a stunning visual display in the centre of London. “We successfully delivered the screens ahead of the time, despite a very tight timeline,” added Marler-Hausen.

Hirschmann concluded: “We enjoyed the collaborative spirit of this project and are pleased with the result.” www.leyardeurope.eu

Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya

COMPANY: HARMAN Professional Solutions

LOCATION: Chonburi, Thailand

Mahajak Development Co. collaborated with HARMAN

Professional Solutions to outfit Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya with audio and lighting solutions by Soundcraft, JBL

Professional, dbx, Martin, BSS, AMX, and Crown.

Located in the seaside city of Chonburi, Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya is Thailand’s first space-themed five-star hotel. The hotel offers a wide range of facilities that combine outer-space-inspired design and innovative amenities, including a 12,000 sq m intergalactic water park – the largest of its kind in the country. To support worldclass guest experiences with the latest technology, hotel owners turned to Mahajak Development Co. to bring their vision to life with a suite of cutting-edge solutions.

Mahajak worked closely with HARMAN Professional Solutions to outfit the complex with a comprehensive audio and lighting installation consisting of JBL Professional speakers, Crown amplifiers, Soundcraft mixing consoles, dbx signal processors, Martin lighting fixtures, BSS network devices, and AMX control units.

The Space Convention Centre required versatile AV solutions that could support a variety of functions. Mahajak installed JBL Control 18C/T, Control 14C/T, and Control 19CS ceiling speakers to provide balanced and even coverage throughout the modular meeting spaces. The team also included Soundcraft Si Impact digital audio consoles, JBL BRX308-LA line array speakers and BRX325SP subwoofers to be used as the main PA and mixing system for events requiring concert-style presentations. Additionally, the team included JBL PRX Series portable speakers and subwoofers for maximum flexibility when organising spontaneous events in miscellaneous locations. For lighting, Mahajak equipped the space with Martin MAC Quantum Wash fixtures.

In the Space Water Park, the team installed JBL Control 25-1 speakers fitted with IP55-rated WeatherMax foam grilles to protect against inevitable water splashes. Networked by a BSS Soundweb London BLU-100 signal processor, the Control 25-1 speakers provide immersive background music as well as emergency announcements and fire safety alerts. A JBL CSPM-1 dynamic close-talking microphone completes the paging system. Mahajak also installed an AMX NX3200 Integrated Controller and Modero Series touch panels to give staff intuitive and convenient control over the audio system.

The hotel boasts a façade design that is permanently projection-mapped. Content is carried over HDBaseT protocol with AMX DXLink transmitters, which allow the media playback system to remain in a safe location from weather conditions up to 100m away. Mahajak also installed a Martin-powered lighting system to enhance and accentuate the projection-mapped façade effects.

To provide a unified audio experience across the building’s entrance and outdoor areas, the team installed AMX7215/95 and JBL ASB7118 two-way loudspeakers treated with WRX weather protection, as well as JBL Control 88M mushroom landscape speakers. The entire audio system is powered by Crown amplifiers with digital signal processing provided by dbx DriveRack VENU360 loudspeaker management systems. www.pro.harman.com