Pomfret School Adds Metinteractive AV Technology into Auditorium Renovations
Pomfret School, a college preparatory boarding and day school that serves students in grades 9–12 in Pomfret, Conn., recently completed renovations to one of its two auditoriums on campus, according to a news release. The Hard Auditorium was originally built in 1928 and plays home to school gatherings and theater performances. Recent renovations turned the 280-seat theater into a multipurpose space that can seat up to 430 for assemblies, 330 for drama or dance performances, or a flat-floor event space, the news release said.
Renovations included the installation of new AV systems to provide sound and video in the space. The school partnered with Centerbrook Architects and Planners and AV consultant Acentech to install AV technology by design and systems integration firm Metinteractive.
“This was a very significant and complex renovation, virtually down to the wood structure of the building and integrating new infrastructure,” said Metinteractive CEO Jeff Mele. “Many late-stage changes impacted our work, requiring us to continually change our strategy for completing the project.”
According to the news release, “Fulcrum CX1295 loudspeakers comprise the center clusters with CX896 speakers as side fills, a CS121 subwoofer, QSC’s Q-SYS audio, video and control platform plus a Behringer X32 digital mixing console in the FOH booth. Fulcrum FX1295 moveable floor monitors are deployed when the space takes on a new configuration for live music events. A ClearCom analog intercom system links dressing rooms and instrumental rehearsal rooms downstairs to the sound booth; ceiling-mounted JBL speakers in those spaces take the stage audio feed.”
Other new AV technology in the Hard Auditorium includes a projection screen and projector, as well as a PTZ camera to film the stage and a 55-inch NEC display in the dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms. Touch panels for audio and video were installed on the stage and in the sound booth.
“Working with Metinteractive was really wonderful from the project’s conception to troubleshooting any issues that came up through a great installation process,” said Mackenzie Christensen, who handles the auditorium’s live event audio and video production. “Jesse LaBranche and the Metinteractive team have been incredibly responsive and have worked tirelessly to make it all happen. It makes me feel comfortable knowing they are on our side should we encounter any hiccups.”
The school also partnered with Shawmut Design and Construction for construction management.
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Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at mjones@1105media.com.