JCDecaux recently moved its UK headquarters to Summit House, a new, purpose-built, six-storey building in Paddington, London. Main architect Wilmotte UK recommended AV integrator Reflex to provide design guidance and consultancy.
In the ground floor reception, a 3 x 3 video wall using 55″ NEC monitors, with a display area of 2.6m x 2m, is driven by nine network decoders, one per panel. Presentation areas feature pairs of 80″ Sharp Aquos 3D LED TVs. With inputs for a local PC, laptop or wireless presentation system, sources are switched via an HDMI matrix switch.
Large Broadsign-themed areas include 2 x 2 video walls, with ultra-slim-bezel LCD panels for a seamless look. Broadsign is JCDecaux’s own signage platform that delivers content to screens within their offices countrywide. With each panel having a network encoder and decoder, they can be used to display one large image or different images on each screen.
4 x 9 banks of 23.5″ NEC widescreen LCD monitors are wall-mounted, each driven by a local Broadsign player. Different advertising campaigns are displayed on each of these screens, which are also used for monitoring the system so that content across the building can be more easily managed.
The building’s cafeteria is a flexible space. Two 80″ Sharp Aquos displays are used for general background use during the day, but can also be used for informal presentations and events. Content to the screens is controlled through an easy-to-use 7″ touch panel.
The boardroom features a large 90″ wall-mounted interactive Sharp TV with four local sources, audio and touchpad control. Rooms used for internal meetings include LCD screens with PC, laptop and wireless presentation system source inputs. Additionally, rooms on the fifth floor include Vidyo video conferencing.
The directors’ offices each feature large-sized LED TV screens with two local sources connected via direct cabling. Content is controlled via a 4″ touch panel.
In the chairman’s office, a huge LCD video wall is installed, comprising nine 55″ NEC panels in a 3 x 3 configuration, giving a total display area of 3.6m x 2m, allowance for eight sources and a background image to be displayed simultaneously in any arrangement across the display. Content can be controlled by any of the three touch panels. The office was chosen as an ideal location for filming The Apprentice.
Across the building, SVSI network distribution enables media to be shown anywhere without a traditional matrix. Close liaison was required with JCDecaux’s network team to ensure the streaming systems worked well.
