AV Overhaul at The University of Bradford
AV Overhaul
Client:
University of Bradford
Project
NEUPC member the University of Bradford recently undertook a comprehensive £1m AV overhaul to address long-standing challenges across its campus estate. The project aimed to modernise outdated systems, improve accessibility, and align with the university's goals of sustainability, accessibility and student-centred learning.
WINNER :
HIKVISION Smart Classroom Pioneer 2025
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FINALIST :
AV Awards 2025 Education Project of the year |
WINNER : HIKVISION Smart Classroom Pioneer 2025 | FINALIST : AV Awards 2025 Education Project of the year |
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Overview
The University of Bradford recently undertook a comprehensive £1m audio-visual overhaul to address long-standing challenges across its campus estate. The project aimed to modernise outdated systems, improve accessibility, and align with the university's goals of sustainability, accessibility and student-centred learning. Roche AV emerged as the trusted partner to deliver this ambitious upgrade, transforming the campus into a state-of-the-art learning environment.
The work completed in 2024 created a flagship lecture theatre space for all students, doubled the number of hybrid meeting rooms and worked with the Faculty of Health Studies to reimagine how they approach collaborative learning. This improved the facilities for midwifery, physiotherapy and other health studies disciplines.
The Challenge
The university faced significant issues with its existing AV infrastructure, which had suffered from years of underinvestment. The estate featured a mismatched array of equipment, with many solutions either outdated or entirely unusable AV equipment which needed to be more dynamic and interactive to meet the expectations of academic and student stakeholders. Recognising the critical need for improvement, the University of Bradford secured central investment funding to address these deficiencies.
Key Challenges:
A lack of standardisation across AV systems.
Limited functionality, particularly for hybrid and collaborative learning.
A tight deadline to complete the project before the start of the new academic year.
The need for sustainable and accessible solutions to meet modern standards.
The Solution
Roche AV secured the project following a rigorous partner tender process, standing out for their comprehensive approach, resilience, value and commitment to sustainability.
The AV installation at the university focused on four key areas, enhancing its learning and operational capabilities. The project featured cutting-edge solutions from leading brands.
Key Features
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A centrepiece of the upgrade was the installation of a cutting-edge Hikvision LED wall in the large lecture hall. Hikvision was chosen for its cost-effectiveness, sustainable credentials, and ease of installation, offering the university a high-impact solution within budget.
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Using Extron NAV to distribute signals campus wide over an IP network, and allow for simple control, future expansion and modification as and when required.
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The installation of new systems, including Wolfvision's Cynap-based vSolution MATRIX system allowed for hybrid learning, transforming the university's teaching model. Students can now collaborate and engage interactively during lessons, moving away from traditional lecturer-led methods and taking control of their own learning.
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Sustainability and accessibility were central to the decision-making process, with a focus on reducing the university’s carbon footprint and creating inclusive learning environments which the university had previously lacked. This included modern hearing loop systems and height adjustable equipment.
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Roche AV conducted an extensive site survey to understand the unique needs of each space. The university complemented this with user surveys, ensuring that the final solutions were tailored to meet the needs of students and faculty alike.
Key Benefits
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Modernised AV systems have significantly improved engagement and collaboration in classrooms.
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The implementation of Wolfvision technology has enabled flexible learning options, catering to diverse student needs.
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The project demonstrates a commitment to reducing environmental impact while achieving educational excellence.
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Despite challenges, the project was completed on time, ensuring minimal disruption to the academic calendar.
Project Breakdown
Student Library
The student library and study space features 22 student collaboration stations.
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CleverLive CM Series Displays utilised across a range of huddle spaces and meeting rooms
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Extron Control and Distribution
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Wolfvision Cynap Pro wireless collaboration
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Top-Tec Juno wall mounted presentation stations
Student Central (Bar & Study)
This dynamic space evolved over time, adapting to live production and cinema use cases.
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136” Hikvision LED wall (P1.5) with front maintenance tools and wall mount.
Integrated digital signage across zones.
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Extron XPA U 1004-100v amplifier and SM28 wall speakers.
Zoned audio control with Extron DSP and iPad-based management.
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Extron MLC Plus 100 wall-mounted control unit and 7” TLP PRO 725M touch panel.
Horton A Refurbishment
Refurbishment of 15 medical teaching spaces, ranging from simple meeting rooms to advanced mock wards. Integration included Wolfvision V Matrix for wireless collaboration between spaces.
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Clevertouch EDGE 86” interactive screens and repeater displays.
Wolfvision Cynap Pro for collaboration.
Integrated PTZ cameras (Axis V5925 and RGB12X-UPAI-WH).
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Sennheiser lapel and handheld microphones.
Extron DSPs, amplifiers, and touch panels for seamless control.
WIFI-based hearing assistance using Sennheiser Mobile Connect.
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Multiple Clevertouch displays with Wolfvision vSolution MATRIX for lecturer-student interaction.
Custom furniture and Roche lecterns for practical use.
Horton Barn
A specialised AV installation for a modern collaborative space with a 9.6m Hikvision LED wall and advanced audio-visual components.
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Two 4.8m Hikvision 4K LED’s side by side providing a total of 9.6m with remote brightness adjustment.
Video wall controller with high-resolution support and intelligent dehumidification.
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QSC Core Flex 8 DSP with Dante integration.
Ceiling-mounted Sennheiser TCC2 microphones and subwoofers for immersive sound.
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Wolfvision Cynap Pro for wireless presentation.
QSC NC12x80 cameras and Extron NV-32H scaler for hybrid setups.
TOP-TEC Contour lectern
Each space demonstrates a commitment to high-quality, scalable AV solutions tailored to evolving user needs, ensuring functionality and futureproofing.
The Conclusion
Roche AV Pro’s audio-visual overhaul has redefined the University of Bradford campus experience. By integrating sustainable solutions and cutting-edge technology, the project not only resolved longstanding AV challenges but also set a new standard for accessibility, collaboration, and interactive learning. The project has been hailed as a resounding success, delivering on all objectives and exceeding expectations. This project won the Hikvision Smart Classroom Pioneer 2025 Award and has been shortlisted for the AV Awards 2025 Education project of the year.
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