Ringling College of Art and Design Academic Building

Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL

Challenge:

Located in scenic Sarasota, Fla., Ringling College of Art and Design is recognized as one of the country’s most innovative institutes for visual arts and technology. In the development of their first fully LEED Silver-certified academic building, school administrators sought state-of-the-art systems to lead their next generation of graphic artists. A strong emphasis would be placed on the use of high-definition (HD) audiovisual systems in conjunction with digital signals.

In collaboration with Sarasota-based Lawson Group Architects and Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc., this Green Building of America Award-winning project covers five stories and more than 85,000 square feet.

Solution:

Located on the first floor, Ringling's 200-seat auditorium features an impressively-sized HD 193" inch diagonal screen and an Extron multi-window processor. Instructors can play multiple computer-video or full-motion signals simultaneously on the screen, giving each window the capability to be independently scaled, positioned or overlapped. The audio system is supported by wireless microphones and a separate system for sound reinforcement. Two Crestron control panels and a control booth provide a versatile complement of operations.

Also located on the first floor, Ringling's gallery showcases two 133" diagonal display screens for a high-resolution showcase of design work. A centrally-located bank of equipment hosts Blu-ray DVD players, and inputs for up to four Mac computers.

On the second, third and fourth floors, Ringling's 12 standard studio classrooms feature a fully-customized instructor podium with DVD/VCR and an input for Mac computers. BenQs WXGA projectors - in combination with Da-Lite's 133" diagonal electric screens and the high-powered effects of JBL stereo speakers - completely enhance the quality of classroom presentations. In addition to these technologies, Ringling's two higher-end dual screen rooms feature customized EAW speakers and a hearing assistance system. The Motions Graphics room, which offers a simpler take on the standard classroom (minus the podiums) and the fifth floor's computer rooms, which feature wall plate connectivity.

Crestron's eControl network system is utilized on a campus-wide level. The lighting, shades and AV management system is integrated within all classrooms and presentation spaces, tying directly into Ringling's energy-saving goals.

Interested in learning more? Take of a video tour of this project by clicking here.

Equipment Highlights:

WXGA projectors, 133" and 193" HD projection screens, hearing assistance systems, surround sound processors, multi-window processors, stereo speakers, eControl network

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