Creative Collaboration Hub for the Arts and Humanities
Project:
The Client
‘A modern university inspired by the spirit of a global city.’ Manchester Metropolitan University is proud of its heritage and integral status within the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Manchester. Its mission is to ‘make higher education accessible and beneficial to all those with the passion and ability to succeed.’ The new flagship Arts and Humanities building is key to a £400m Estates Investment Programme to enhance its world-class campus in the heart of Manchester.
The Challenge
Part of the outstanding state-of-the-art facility includes a suite of multi-functional collaborative spaces designed to nurture creative talent through sharing and mentoring. Equipped with a wide range of visual displays these spaces offer exceptional opportunities for collaboration in teaching and research. We lead the installation through a sole supplier agreement with the university having worked with them in this capacity since 2012.
(Photography: Jonathan Cooper)Key Features
- Sharp / NEC MultiSync E507Q and E557Q 50 & 55 inch 16/7 large format displays
- Sharp / NEC MultiSync C861Q 86 inch 24/7 large format displays
- Sharp / NEC MultiSync C981Q 98 inch 24/7 large format displays
The Solution
The University is familiar with NEC having used their technology across the wider MMU campus. This relationship led to a range of large format displays being deployed within the new Arts and Humanities building across multiple teaching and learning spaces, as well as for digital signage use.
“The quality of the NEC displays is tried and trusted. We chose to partner with them on this project not only because of the durability of the product but also the exceptional warranty, service and support that Sharp/NEC provide,” says Craig Pickard, director of project and innovations at Roche AV.
A total of 26 x 50” and 55” NEC large format displays are utilised across a variety of teaching and learning spaces including in the collaborative suite mounted at the head of Dalen desks. A number of further small, medium and large size teaching spaces benefit from the visual anchor, also facilitating UC/AV sessions.
An 86” NEC display forms the centrepiece in a larger ‘executive’ style space. The entrance area features 3 x 98” NEC displays to welcome staff, students and visitors displaying venue information, upcoming events and campus wide messaging.
Partners
The Result
The listed portico to Grosvenor Square has been re-established as the principal entrance of the new Arts and Humanities building, which welcomes the public as well as students. The visual technology provided by Sharp/NEC helps to enhance the experience for all users, providing the essential means for communication and collaboration which is so fundamental to the media industry which it serves.
The Feedback
“The quality of the NEC displays is tried and trusted. We chose to partner with them on this project not only because of the durability of the product but also the exceptional warranty, service and support that Sharp/NEC provide”
- Craig Pickard, Director of Project and Innovations, Roche AV.
‘We are immensely proud of our new purpose-built building which provides top class facilities for our staff, students and the wider community. Roche AV expertly orchestrated the AV installation, which, with NEC display technology throughout, will provide robust and reliable performance for many years to come. The building contains high quality TV Studios, Radio Studios, editing facilities, a full Newsroom, and a theatre, giving students real world experience of the creative and media industries. I’m delighted with the result and the feedback we have received is only positive. Following on from the success of this building, we have now forged a partnership with Sharp/NEC and exclusively use their display products throughout our estate.’
- John Valentine, IT Campus Manager at MMU.
(Photography: Jonathan Cooper)