RIBA achieves a technology blueprint

The Royal Institute of British Architects has used Panasonic technology to help create unique event spaces, with integrator Insight Visual Systems installing a statement 98-inch 4K display in the organisation’s reception area alongside two 65-inch Full HD panels.

RIBA’s headquarters at 66 Portland Place in central London is home to the Insitute, as well as RIBA Venues, which plays host to hundreds of events a year. It’s also home to London’s first architectural gallery, the RIBA library and its collection of over four million items.
The audio visual infrastructure is of vital importance to the Institute, forming the backbone of numerous conferences, product launches and corporate meetings.

In the reception area, a 98-inch Panasonic (TH-98LQ70) 4K display has been installed, integrated by Insight Visual Systems. Capable of constant 24/7 operation, it offers about four times the pixels of a Full HD display. Quadra AV designed a metal effect wooden frame to enclose the display, mounted on a mezzanine level on the main stairs leading from reception.
The panel is accompanied by two 65-inch Full HD (TH-65LFE8) displays installed in portrait, replacing existing light boxes and giving greater levels of flexibility to the installation.

"This is a very closely protected building in terms of development," said Steve Barrett- White, AV Technical Supervisor for The RIBA, "It means that we need to take any decisions regarding integrating AV within the building with that protected status in mind.
"So, for instance, we are restricted on what we can put over windows to block out the light, which means displays are more feasible in many spaces than projectors. However, in most cases we're also restricted on what we can hang to the walls, which means movable screens in many rooms.

"We had a great experience with the two 103-inch Panasonic plasma panel we purchased some ten years ago. We were expecting around three years of use, but a decade later they are still going strong.

"However, we are in the process of moving away from a lot of plasma technology, to more modern, more energy efficient LCD technology, which is an important consideration as sustainability is a key corporate initiative for the organisation.

"We have replaced one with the new 4K 98-inch panel and will shortly replace the other with a video wall. It was an easy decision to replace Panasonic for Panasonic."

In line with those sustainable principles the organisation is also pursuing a transition to laser projection too. The first laser projector installed is within the building's main auditorium. Integrated by Insight Visual Systems Ltd, the 12,000 lumen PT-RZ12 offers 20,000-hours of maintenance free operation. It has an onboard real motion processor, which combines frame-creation and 120 Hz high-speed processing for fluid motion reproduction.

"We've been incredibly pleased with the RZ12K, it creates an incredibly vibrant, bright image. We are keen to transition to laser in order to reduce the electrical and maintenance demand within the building's AV infrastructure," adds Steve Barrett-White.

In terms of other AV installations within the building, The RIBA has a 10,000 lumen PTDZ10 in Florence Hall and has three PT-VZ575s within the staff canteen in an adjoining building, which the organisation uses for staff briefings. Ceiling hung and utilising the horizontal, vertical, and corner keystone correction as well at the curved screen correction, the AV team have created a wide angle projection along a curved wall.

For more information on Panasonic Visual System Solutions please visit: https://business.panasonic.co.uk/visual-system/