Gateway Revisited: The Evolution of the University of Sunderland's Gateway Spaces

Gateway Revisited

Client:
University of Sunderland

Project

The University of Sunderland’s Gateway centres have long served as key student hubs, centralising support services and study areas. In 2018, Roche AV Pro transformed these spaces with video walls.

By 2024/2025, the university again partnered with Roche AV Pro to replace the ageing video walls with seamless, energy-efficient LED video walls…

Background

The University of Sunderland's Gateway service consists of two centres: one on the City Campus and the other at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter’s. Designed as a one-stop shop for students, the Gateways centralise essential student services, eliminating the need for individual reception areas across university buildings. Since their inception, the Gateways have been vital hubs of student life, providing access to information, resources, and study spaces.

By 2018, after over a decade of use, both Gateway centres required a major refurbishment to meet the evolving expectations of modern students. The university sought a blend of cutting-edge technology and an inviting, collaborative environment that would enhance both learning and engagement. Roche AV Pro delivered AV solutions that not only addressed the ‘Core’ requirements - such as study skill suites, group study rooms, interview rooms, and study booths - but also introduced a ‘Wow Factor’ that would make the spaces stand out with video walls.

Following a consultancy period, a new AV system was implemented in 2018 to bring the Gateway centres into the modern era. The upgrade introduced two high-impact video walls — a 12-screen NEC installation in the reception area, creating an engaging digital focal point for visitors, and an 8-screen NEC video wall in the canteen and events space, designed to support presentations, digital signage, and student engagement.

Collaborative learning was enhanced through BenQ interactive group study booths equipped with Mersive Solstice Pods, allowing students to wirelessly share, present, and annotate content from their own devices. To complement these visual upgrades, multiple Samsung digital signage displays were strategically placed to deliver key university messages, while a DAS speaker system provided clear, high-quality audio coverage throughout. This refurbishment transformed the Gateway centres into dynamic, technology-driven environments that fostered learning, collaboration, and communication. However, as AV technology continued to evolve, it became clear that another upgrade would eventually be needed to maintain a cutting-edge experience.

2018 Cafe video wall

2018 Reception video wall

2024 Upgrade

Six years after the initial installation, the university once again partnered with Roche AV Pro to enhance the Gateway’s AV capabilities. The previous 8-screen NEC video wall, which was innovative for its time, had begun to show its age. The visible bezels between screens disrupted the visual flow, and the display lacked the brightness and energy efficiency of newer LED technology.

To address these issues, Roche AV Pro installed a state-of-the-art 137" BOE LED video wall - a seamless, bezel-less display that significantly enhances the user experience. The new system delivers stunning Full HD visuals at 1920x1080 resolution with a fine 1.5mm pixel pitch, providing crisp, high-definition imagery. Its superior brightness and energy efficiency ensure clear visibility even in well-lit environments while reducing overall power consumption. By eliminating the distractions caused by screen bezels, the installation creates an uninterrupted viewing experience and offers a future-proof solution that supports flexible content display for events, digital signage, and university communications.

University of Sunderland Prospect Cafe LED Wall 02.png

University of Sunderland Prospect Cafe LED Wall 03.png

University of Sunderland Prospect Cafe LED Wall 01.png

2025 Upgrade

Building on the success of the cafe installation, the University of Sunderland continued its Gateway evolution in 2025, this time focusing on the reception area. The original 12-screen NEC video wall was replaced with a 4.5m-wide Liantronics LED wall, delivering the same benefits of seamless imagery, superior brightness, and reduced energy consumption that modern LED technology provides over traditional LCD video walls.

The new Liantronics LED wall creates an impressive digital focal point, enhancing the visual impact of the Gateway’s main entrance and ensuring content is visible, vibrant, and consistent from every angle: without the visual interruption of bezels.

The Conclusion

The Gateway’s journey - from the original 2018 installations to recent LED upgrades - demonstrates the University of Sunderland’s commitment to staying at the forefront of educational technology. With these continued investments, the Gateway remains a standout example of how universities can evolve their spaces to better serve students and staff alike.