Aberdare Community School was formed following the merger of Aberdare High, Aberdare Girls’ and Blaengwawr secondary schools. 1400 students moved to the brand new establishment in phases, having been split between the three old sites in Aberaman, Cwmdare, and Plasdraw.
The £50m campus has created a unified education, leisure and community hub in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Appointed by M&E subcontractor Crown House Technologies and also working closely with main contractor Laing O’Rourke, Vaughan Sound was tasked with integrating audio-visual, sound and lighting systems throughout the state-of-the-art super school and adjacent Sobell Leisure Centre.
The three-storey building has been designed to provide pupils and staff with the best possible environment to study and work.
With innovative and inspiring spaces and the use of the latest technology, the school has become one of Wales’ most modern and innovative learning facilities.
The Main Hall benefits from a superb performance sound and stage lighting package, with stage curtains, multimedia projection, ring intercom and AMX control solutions also integrated into this space.
The Lecture Theatre also boasts a wide array of technology, including 3.5m retractable electric screens and 5000 lumen projectors, alongside a Polycom HDX 8000 video conferencing unit complete with Eagle Eye camera and HD microphone array.
AMX control has also been integrated here, with leading Audio Technica, Symetrix, Trantec, and Yamaha products providing sound solutions throughout.
In the large open Dining Hall, a Mitsubishi 6000 lumen projector has been paired with a 3m fixed frame screen in 16:9 format, which is used to show important and world events, including sport.
The Sports Hall has been equipped with 60” displays, a further AMX custom programmed control system, connection panel and Yamaha cabinet loudspeakers.
Sound, lighting, multimedia projection, control solutions and associated cabling and connectivity were also installed throughout the Dance Activity Studio, Recording Studio, Music Rooms, and Drama Studio, with the latter also receiving proscenium and curved track stage curtains and drapes.
LG commercial screens and Sedao SWEPV2 players provide digital signage solutions, allowing the school to clearly display important news, information and announcements, and make swift and easy changes when required.
Additionally, Vaughan Sound was responsible for the site-wide public address and class change system, comprising of almost 250 recessed ceiling speakers and 18 horn loudspeakers.
To meet DDA compliance regulations and assist classroom communication, induction loops and soundfield systems have been fitted in a number of key areas too.
Sobell Leisure Centre also sits on the Ynys site and forms part of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s wider £50m regeneration scheme.
Vaughan Sound installed a Cloud multi-zone public address and background music system plus induction loop systems and commercial displays.
Yamaha amplifiers and cabinet loudspeakers, Mitsubishi 5000 lumen projectors and AMX control panels have also been integrated in the Activity Hall, Activity Studio, and Spin Studio.
Vaughan Sound worked to a tight, phased work programme to deliver one of its largest education schemes to date.
The vast array of integrated technology throughout Aberdare Community School is a blueprint for 21st century schools in Wales.
Solutions provided by Vaughan Sound will serve current and future pupils and staff for years to come, significantly enhancing their day-to-day study and work.
“Vaughan Sound performed excellently on a very challenging project.
“A pleasure to work with such a professional team.”
– Adrian Bourne, Project Manager (Laing O’Rourke)
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