The Problem
The main school hall at Smithdon High School is used daily for their 627 students. As a multi-purpose space, it is also used for in-house school productions, with the next musical performance scheduled for February 2020.
The existing infrastructure for the lighting had been partially removed, was very old, outdated, and no longer worked. On the sound side, whilst the fundamental aspects were in place, the set-up wasn’t being used to its full potential and was in need of a “re-vamp” to get it to a workable state for larger productions. There was also a store cupboard housing some working but unused equipment suitable for future use.
Pain Points:
- Outdated lighting system, in need of replacement.
- Insufficient infrastructure for the lighting system.
- Underutilized sound equipment.
- Stockpiled unused components that could be repurposed.
Creative Spark’s Solution
Creative Spark’s solution was to provide an upgraded system that reused existing equipment, while introducing modern components to meet the school’s needs. We worked within the school’s tight timeframe to deliver a flexible and cost-effective lighting and sound system.
Lighting Infrastructure Overhaul:
- Removed outdated lighting bars and replaced them with new, incorporating sockets with electrical distribution equipment and master switches.
- Installed a new DMX infrastructure for full control of intelligent lighting fixtures, allowing for future flexibility.
- Supplied and installed intelligent LED lighting fixtures, including moving heads and LED spot and wash lights, for versatile lighting design.
Sound System Upgrade:
- Integrated existing components into a larger, more efficient system.
- Installed a multicore to allow for multiple microphone and audio signals between the stage and control position.
- Installed additional overhead microphones to expand audio coverage.
Testing and Certification:
- Conducted PAT testing on all equipment, ensuring full certification for 12 months.
- Completed training on the new system to ensure ease of use for staff.
Full-service Installation:
The upgrade also involved installing the necessary wiring and equipment, including a lighting control console, ensuring a seamless setup for everyday use as well as large productions.
Benefits for our client
Smithdon High School now benefits from an updated lighting and sound system that is both cost-effective and flexible:
- Cost-Effective: By reusing some of the existing components, Creative Spark was able to minimize costs.
- Flexible and Future-Proof: The new system can be expanded with additional components if necessary.
- Energy-Efficient: The use of LED lighting has reduced energy consumption, providing long-term savings.
- Ease of Use: The new system is user-friendly, enabling staff to operate it with minimal training.
Photos
More Case Studies
Upgrading Watersmeet Theatre’s Power and Data Infrastructure with Advanced Lighting Control Console
Power and data infrastructure upgrade at the Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth
View Case Study »
Theatre House Light Replacement
Auditorium house light system replacement at Watersmeet theatre in Rickmansworth
View Case Study »
School Auditorium House Light Upgrade
Updating the house lighting in the school auditorium at Woldingham School in Surrey
View Case Study »