INSTALLATION OF THE MONTH - October and November 2008
Old Meets New - Corporate Headquarters Sets the Way Forward with High End Audio Integration and Architecture
MediaCom Dusseldorf has blended industrial but modern architecture with Artcoustic Loudspeakers to create a unique corporate headquarters.
Forget about the traditional framed paintings, high end audio is the way forward at MediaCom Dusseldorf, one of the biggest media agencies in Germany, with 600 employees, that considers itself anything but typical. This wonderful re-build of an old factory sits right in the middle of the city. Its industrial designed layout is very sleek and it's all designed to draw your eye and present a forward thinking environment where the space has been used well. The old, traditional-style setting was gutted and refurbished to reflect the company's culture. The new space consists of open-plan areas, were the new offices are both functional and full of personality promoting teamwork and good communication among the staff, and giving space for creativity.
The new design abandons the typical formal lobby and segregated visitor and work spaces. Instead a single workplace is open to all staff and clients who visit the office. The removal of traditional barriers between these areas, allows better involvement with clients in the work, the thinking and the development of their ideas and projects. Creating an ambience of simplicity and expansiveness is often the result of careful forethought and close attention to detail.
The new head office encourages collaboration and its open door concept is immediately apparent upon entrance. The reception area is an understated but refined welcome to visitors.
Numerous collaboration areas such as lounge areas, meeting points on every floor, conference rooms, coffee and party areas and a restaurant area are situated throughout the office. Communication plays a vital role in any creative environment, particularly in terms of collaboration between staff members. When the sense of sharing extends to clients and other work associated visitors, the office environment must cater to everyone's specific needs.
A major challenge was to balance the unique character of the building that attracted the company to the space with its need for state-of-the-art office space and technology. Innovative thinking and extensive collaboration among the architect, the Artcoustic Distributor, Audio Network and AV installer, Perfect Media Solution gave the company the best of both worlds. The creative company, which relies heavily on technology, wanted more than a simple audio visual infrastructure but one that functioned easily. The space demanded versatile, cutting-edge technology that could give MediaCom the flexibility to meet their everyday needs for conducting business. All partners chose to embrace the AV and IT elements as part of the interior design by exposing racks of equipment and running wires on the walls' exteriors rather than trying to hide them behind the cast-in-place concrete walls along with the interior's white design—a sort of “blank canvas” for the company’s creativity.
For a creative organisation, it makes sense to bring visual and audio into the office space. In the lounge area staff and visitors can wait or socialize in relaxing surroundings with four Artcoustic DF-Multi 42” LCR speakers neatly adorned below high definition plasma screens. All meeting points and coffee areas create an environment that is both energetic and interactive. Visitors and staff can informally gather at large community tables, serve themselves at the coffee bar, or opt for casual café seating. Neatly installed are seven Artcoustic C1- Stereo speakers that provide perfect audio atmosphere at the meeting points. The Artcoustic C1-Stereo Speaker is dynamic in its sound and was custom designed for the MediaCom installation. The coffee areas feature two Artcoustic DFF 180-43 speakers and four DFF 120-43 speakers elegantly placed on the wall in customized white frames with white screen. The restaurant area is furnished in a contemporary open, clean and modern way without being sterile. Eight Diablo Monitor Speakers hang along the walls and provide more upbeat clear-cut tunes while staff and visitors dine.
Most impressive is the conference room, which holds an impressive list of presentation and videoconferencing technology. Two Artcoustic DFF 120-43 speakers sit alongside the projector screen which is mounted inside a freestanding large enclosure. Employees rely heavily on the audio and video technology to not only view and review the projects they produce but also to discuss company strategies and plans.
Six Artcoustic PA-1800 Power amplifiers are used throughout as well as an Imerge S3000 for music content within the whole building. Netstreams Digilinx System is also used to stream music from an IPod.
MediaCom are very pleased with their Artcoustic audio solution and Audio Network and Perfect Media Solution has successfully addressed the acoustic environment and sound system design with the same level of importance as the office layout and interior. Artcoustic has helped to achieve the perfect audio atmosphere for MediCom’s head office and the speakers look perfect in the new setting and sound great.
Contact
Audio Network Distribution GmbH & Co.KG
+49 202 24255-0
info@audionetwork.de www.audionetwork.deNEW PRODUCTS
Spitfire 4-2-1 Cinema System – Spitfire 4-2-1 speaker system redefines reference cinema performance
The new flagship Spitfire 4-2-1 speaker system is available now from Artcoustic Loudspeakers. Featuring a high performance horn loaded tweeter together with 6 x 10” bass units, this model is capable of stunning performance, easily exceeding reference pressure levels with a maximum output of 122dB. Each loudspeaker is tri-amped with the PA1800 power amp to deliver 1800W per speaker. Partnered with the Spitfire Subwoofers, Spitfire Venues and PA1800 amplifier, this forms a speaker system designed for the very finest home cinema systems.
The Spitfire 4-2-1 system is the most installation friendly high performance system available. Reference performance is delivered in just 186mm of depth - including subwoofers. Installation is quick, easy and aesthetically clean and unobtrusive.
Spitfire 4-2-1 measures 800mm x 840mm x 186mm
Contact an exclusive Artcoustic distributor in your area for more information.
July 2008 - Artcoustic Open New UK Headquarters
Artcoustic UK are proud to announce the opening of their new UK Headquarters: a beautiful training and demonstration facility destined to lead the industry in audio education and design.
This brand new facility will showcase the company’s state-of-the-art high-end audio solutions to their exclusive dealers, consultants, architects, interior designers and end users. The headquarters features Artcoustic’s full range of products amongst top of the line furnishings ensuring a total Artcoustic experience in both residential and commercial room sets. The full range of Artcoustic products on demonstration with 9 full systems includes:
- A state-of-the-art dedicated reference Spitfire Cinema Room
- Commercial Spitfire Venue bar demonstration area
- Various sized plasma based systems with Artcoustic Packages
- Domestic systems ranging from the small 2 channel Diablo Target system to flagship DFF180-43 systems.
Facility will provide Authorised Dealers, Interior Designers, Architects and End Users with a Venue to Learn About and Experience Artcoustic’s Audio Solutions
This interactive demonstration facility will provide a convenient place to learn how high-end audio systems can be successfully integrated into a lifestyle environment without sacrificing one to the other. It will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the audio / lifestyle environment and also demonstrate the convenience and functionality of having the Artcoustic sound system in their private residence, home cinema, restaurant, hotel or corporate boardroom.
The facility caters for both commercial and domestic projects and can truly show the full range of possibilities that can be achieved with Artcoustic Loudspeakers.
As ever interior design and high end audio have come together via the Artcoustic team to produce a stunning new facility. “We always aim to present everything we do in the most desirable way possible” explained Paul Cummin, Artcoustic UK Sales Director, who has spearheaded this project, “We know that just having fantastic products is not enough, you have to show them in the best environments. Artcoustic as a company are leading the way in this area, we understand interior design and that selling our product is only made easier by presenting it in the right way. Our authorised dealer network already benefit from our ability to show their clients the end result via our extensive image library and marketing material. This new facility will ensure that we can keep them up to date with our full range of products and philosophy. Our aim is not only to show beautiful installations, but also to demonstrate that high performance loudspeakers are what Artcoustic is all about.”
All modern residential and commercial settings need an audio system solution, but there are so many products on the market that it is difficult to know what to select.
Artcoustic has the expertise to provide the specialist knowledge that is required, when it comes to selecting the ideal residential and commercial high end loudspeaker solution from a basic audio system to a complete multi-room solution. Artcoustic can work closely with their dealers, architects, interior designers and consultants to create a fully integrated home or commercial environment.
The new UK Headquarters marks another first for the industry, pushing the envelope of state-of-the-art audio technology and showcasing the perfect marriage between high-end loudspeakers and interior design. It will be the first of its kind to represent an integrated living space fully fitted with elegant furnishings and Artcoustic’s top performing audio systems.
If you think you already know Artcoustic, be prepared to open your eyes and ears! This facility is designed to prove that high performance systems and beautiful installations can and should go together. The range of possibilities is endless. A visit to this new headquarters is just the starting point.
The showroom is based in Chelmsford, Essex.
20 minutes by car from the M25
30 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street, (nearest train station Chelmsford)
30 minutes by car from Stansted Airport
The showroom is by appointment only – to arrange a visit please call 01245 400904 or e-mail salesuk@artcoustic.com. Artcoustic UK Showroom Unit 15 Eckersley Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SL England.
