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Martin Pro Helps Enhance Gothic Masterpiece
Intelligent use of Martin Professional LED and discharge luminaires has helped transform one of the UK's most important gothic buildings, while drastically reducing its energy cost.
Multiples of Martin Pro Exterior 200 and 600's, Cyclo 4's and MAC 250 Entours form the basis of a complete multimedia environment at the Wills Memorial Building on the Bristol University campus. The entire integration was carried out and commissioned by locally-based Sounds Commercial, who successfully tendered for the contract against four other companies.
Knowing that the facility would be used for a wide range of events and presentations they created a number of easily-operable scene presets, using combinations of the Martin Pro fixtures, to highlight the architectural carved oak wood paneling and beautiful feature windows.
Initially, a product demo day was set up by Sounds Commercial for the benefit of the University, which included Damian Orritt of Design AV Europe - the original designer and project manager. Also attending the site visit were Grant Thomas, sales director of UK distributors, Batmink Ltd., and Martin Professional representative Paul Cox, whose CAD drawings helped to define the lighting plot.
Batmink Ltd also played a pivotal role in the specification when it became clear that the architectural features of the building would strongly influence the choice of equipment specified. All parties were keen to source products from a company with a proven record of performance and reliability - and Martin Professional fulfilled these criteria," said Grant Thomas.
Project architect, Tim Stephens of Kendall Kingscott, had also lent his weight to the energy saving attributes of Martin's LED lighting, with the result - according to senior project engineer Lee Stephenson - that the vast range of fixtures could be either grouped, or individually addressed within a single DMX universe.
But in view of the building's Grade I listing, the installation had to be carried out with high sensitivity, and fixings had to take place along mortar-lines, separating the elaborate slab stone work.
With its two balconies the Great Hall can seat up to 900 people for plenary lectures and 270 for banqueting. The system also hosts events ranging from organ recitals, graduation day ceremonies, academic lectures - and third party usage.
In view of its diverse usage, there was a requirement for frequent mood changes to be implemented via the lighting scenes. Making up the bulk of the fixtures are 24 Martin Pro Exterior 200's, 28 Martin Pro Cyclo 04 - 20 in the Great Hall and eight in the Reception Room - and a pair each of Exterior 600's and MAC 250 Entours (the former residing at front of house).
Although the Exterior 200's are IP-rated all are used internally in view of their impressive power rating, with 44 high power LED's per fixture, emphasises Lee Stephenson. "It was the perfect solution in such a large space."
With six windows flanking each side of the Hall, Sounds Commercial assigned all 24 Martin Pro Exterior 200s (two per window) to provide uplighting, accentuating the pillars between each window and at the same time illuminating the ceiling. With the RGB, amber and white colour-mix capabilities, and choice of beam options, these heads offer immense versatility and their individual address enables slow fades and ripples to be generated.
"All the Great Hall had previously were giant floods - and this solution provides far greater mood and definition," says Sounds Commercial project manager, Blake Gifford.
A further 20 Martin Cyclo 04 discreet RGBW fluorescent washlights have been set in two rows of ten behind the oak fretwork surround, high above the rear of the organ. These are assisted by a pair of powerful, feature-rich MAC 250 Entour profile heads, set up in the dome to light the organ and lectern, which are also programmed into the scenes.
Finally, on either side of the entrance, an Exterior 600 575W intelligent luminaire uplights the vaulting, using bespoke mounting frames - fabricated by main building contractor, Stone BCI, enabling them to be mounted in vertical mode.
"We have always enjoyed good results from Martin Pro fixtures - our own engineers recommend these for their reliability, ease of use and control," notes Blake Gifford. The provision of a 24-hour Martin Pro helpline provides further reassurance.
Summing up, Grant Thomas says: "The close working relationship between all parties have ensured that the products installed deliver the required effects within the sensitive surroundings of this important architectural building."
And as a result, says Blake Gifford, the university has immediately recognised the additional marketing opportunities that this upgrade offers.
20th February 2009
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