In what represents one of the UK’s most ambitious, luxurious and comprehensive control and audio-visual systems ever created for an MDU project aimed at the over 65s, Prestige Audio gives EI the tour of this impressive project.
Joe Carri, Director, at Prestige Audio, explains, “An existing customer contacted us after forming a new ambitious development company called Riverstone Living with the goal of transforming MDU projects for the over 65s. The aim is to create a series of luxury developments delivering a level of luxury, automation and audio-visual systems never before seen in the sector.
“They launched in 2019 with a project called Riverstone Kensington, which we consulted on; however Riverstone Fulham was our first full project with the customer. Such was the success of Riverstone Fulham, we are now the official AV and automation supplier to the company which plans to complete similar projects one a year until 10 sites are completed.”
The brief was to supply a comprehensive building automation and high-performance AV system to all of the building’s communal areas as well as design and deliver a high-performance 20-seater home cinema. The areas the plan had to cover were extensive including the large basement cinema, reception/orangery/WC’s, library, restaurant/WC’s, restaurant terrace, bar, club room, east garden terrace, espresso bar/arrival/WC’s, meeting room, cinema bar, gym, treatment room (1 and 2), pool/sauna/steam rooms, changing rooms. We also fitted a high-performance golf simulator.
The Challenges
Joe reveals, “One of the biggest challenges on this project was to build an automation system that is so simple to use that any member of staff is able to control every aspect and achieve the results required with little or no training. Staff turnover in this market can be quite high so the system had to be able to cope with staff who might be very new at the site as well as more established staff members. Intuitive, simple, but powerful, was the requirement.
“During initial discussions we offered to build a unique GUI interface using the chosen platform of RTI, however at that point the client was happy with the standard interface supplied with the system.”
Joe adds, “Nevertheless, as the project progressed it became clear that the level of simplicity needed in the interface, required something bespoke. Our team worked with the RTI software to create something the directors were extremely happy with and works well for all the staff. There was some scepticism, even from RTI, that what we would be able to deliver what we had promised the customer, however the GUI lived up to our promises and delivers super, simple, but powerful control of all the many systems in the building.”
Another big challenge involved the multi room music system which is fed by centralised servers in the developers own offices. Eventually the plan is to have these servers supply content to all of the 10 locations that Riverstone plans to build. Riverstone had taken on a supplier of streaming music content for systems such as these called Soundtrack Your Brand, this had happened very early on in the planning for Riverstone Fulham and was made without consulting the Prestige Audio team.
Joe continues, “It became clear early on that the streaming service was not going to be compatible with the audio-visual systems and in particular the RTI control platform. However, our engineers once again came up with a bespoke solution that uses a specially created browser-based approach to ensure that in particular the RTI and the streaming platform now work in perfect unison.”
Perhaps the most impressive part of the build is the 20-seat home cinema. Full equipped with a high-performance Dolby Atmos system, Prestige says it is one of the most uncompromised cinemas the company has ever built anywhere and argues it is certainly the best cinema every installed in a ‘retirement home’. As well as being a high-performance home cinema, it also has several features to assist those with hearing issues so that can access a different audio track that makes dialogue clearer. The space can also be used a lecture theatre for presentations and special events.
Rest Easy
The entire home is serviced with high-performance audio-visual experiences designed to make visiting or living at Riverstone Fulham, a joy. Often referred to ‘Baby Boomers’ the cohort of people which make up the majority of the residents and the target market for the project love music and movies and the system has been designed to complement their tastes, priorities and lifestyle. The system also makes provision for expansion of the AV system into areas external and internal should the clients and customers request it. The bespoke created interface between the music streaming service and the RTI system as well as the in-house created simple to use GUI are the cherries on the top of this project which Prestige firmly believes to be the best AV and control system ever installed in an MDU project, and certainly the best ever installed in a project aimed at the over 65s, often an overlooked group of customers in our sector.
A very satisfied clients, has this to say, “The real challenge for our product and the retirement living sector is providing the very best that smart technology has to offer in the industry but with a simple customer facing interface, that is easily understood and operated. Our clientele can be mobility and sensory impaired and digital interfaces can be a real challenge. This technology is also constantly evolving in the industry and there are so many different manufacturers and products on offer.
“Prestige Audio has been excellent at helping us develop the very best technology available, be it in our luxury apartments, commercial grade cinemas, work at home, club room or bar and restaurant spaces, with simple intuitive controls which have been so well received by our staff and customers. Prestige has worked closely with us, in many ways as an integral part of our business, from inception through to final commission, handover and beyond and helped us navigate the complex world of smart tech.”
Describing the best aspects of working with Prestige Audio, the client added, “A friendly and professional approach, with ownership of the detail and a real understanding of us as a client, has been so well received by the entire client team, from Development through to Operations and IT.
“The seamless integration of systems in a discrete and sophisticated manner into our cinema is our favourite part – technology has not dominated or conflicted with the spaces, something that many of our competitors have struggled to achieve. Prestige Audio has helped our business become ‘best in class’ – because they are.
Essential Equipment List
RECEPTION/ORANGERY/WC’s
2 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
RECEPTION/ORANGERY/WC’s
6 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers D85
6 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
4 x Origin In-Wall Speakers C63
LIBRARY
2 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
3 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers D85
3 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
RESTAURANT/WC’s
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
1 x Shure Lavalier Microphone, MX150
1 x Shure Microphone Transmitter, MXW1
1 x Shure Microphone Charging Station – 2 Way, MXWNCS2
Shure Microphone Wireless Access Point, MXWAPT2
10 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers (Internal) D85
10 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
3 x Paradigm 10in Subwoofers (Internal), Defiance X10
RESTAURANT TERRACE
Future Speaker Cabling Only
BAR
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel, KX2
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
6 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers (Internal)
D85
6 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
3 x Paradigm 10in Subwoofers (Internal), Defiance X10
GROUND FLOOR ZONE
CLUB ROOM
1 x RTi 11.6in Colour Touch Panel, KA11
1 x RTi KA11 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
1 x 55in Samsung Picture Frame TV, QE55LS03RAUXXU
2 x Samsung No Gap Wall Mount TV Bracket
1 x Wyrestorm Fibre 4K Video Receiver
2 x 1m Professional Series HDMI Cable (Full HDMI 2.0 4K + HDR, 18Gbps)
8 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
8 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
2 x Paradigm 10in Subwoofers (Internal), Defiance X10
2 x 1m Professional Series HDMI Cable (Full HDMI 2.0 4K + HDR, 18Gbps)
EAST GARDEN TERRACE
8 x Origin External Planter Speakers, Origin LS44
8 x Origin External Planter Speaker Mounting Spikes, Origin LSSS
2 x Origin Acoustics In Ground Subwoofer
COMMS ROOM
1 x RTi XP Series Control Processor, XP-8V
1 x RTi XP Series Control Expansion Module, PCM-4
1 x RTi XP Unlimited Device Licence
14 x Sonos Port (Media Players)
3 x SkyQ Boxes (Client Supply)
3 x Shure Microphone Audio Receiver and Converter (Restaurant, Pool, Gym Mics), MXWANI4
2 x Ecler Audio Mixer (for mixing Mics and Line sources)
3 x Wyrestorm Fibre 4K Video Extender Kits, EX-300-H2
1 x Wyrestorm 1:2 4K HDMI Splitter (Sky to Club Room TVs), SP-0102-H2
3 x Blustream Digital Audio Balun Kit (TV return Audio – Club Room x 2, Meeting Room), CAT100AU
1 x PulseEight Pro Audio 32×32 Audio Matrix, ProAudio32
6 x Anthem 16 Channel Power Amplifiers (w/ARC room correction), MDX16
2 x Origin External Subwoofer Amplifiers (Restaurant Terrace, East Garden Terrace), SUB-A150
2 x ATEN 8 Way PDU, PE6208AV
2 x 24 Port Managed POE+ Network Switch, GS-4210-24P(L)4C
2 x Fusion 42U Equipment Rack 600×600
ESPRESSO BAR/ARRIVAL/WC’s
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
6 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
6 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
2 x James OW Range Speakers (located within Lighting Trough), 53Qow
MEETING ROOM
1 x RTi KA8 Colour Touch Panel, KA8
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
1 x 55in Samsung Picture Frame TV, QE55LS03RAUXXU
1 x Samsung No Gap Wall Mount TV Bracket, WMN-M15EA/XU
1 x 1m Professional Series HDMI Cable (Full HDMI 2.0 4K + HDR, 18Gbps)
2 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
2 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
1 x Barco Click Share Wireless Presentation System, CS-100
1 x 3m Professional Series HDMI Cable (Full HDMI 2.0 4K + HDR, 18Gbps)
CINEMA BAR
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
4 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
4 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
2 x Paradigm 10in Subwoofers, Defiance X10
GYM
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
6 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
6 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
2 x Paradigm 12in Subwoofers, Defiance X12
1 x Shure Lavalier Microphone, MX150
1 x Shure Microphone Transmitter, MXW1
1 x Shure Microphone Charging Station – 2 Way, MXWNCS2
1 x Shure Microphone Wireless Access Point
TREATMENT ROOM1/RECEPTION
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
3 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
3 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
1 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
1 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
POOL/SAUNA/STEAM ROOM
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
12 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
12 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
1 x Shure Lavalier Microphone, MX150
1 x Shure Microphone Transmitter, MXW1
1 x Shure Microphone Charging Station – 2 Way, MXWNCS2
1 x Shure Microphone Wireless Access Point, MXWAPT2
CHANGING ROOMS
4 Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
4 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
GOLF SIMULATOR
1 x RTi KX2 Colour Touch Panel
1 x RTi KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
2 x Origin Acoustics 8in In Ceiling Speakers, D85
2 x Speaker Fire Hoods, Acoustahood DLC8/AC
1 x Blustream Digital Audio Balun Kit (Audio feed from Golf Simulator), CAT100AU
Communal Cinema
Equipment List
RTI XP Series Control Processor
RTI XP Series Control Expansion Module
RTI 11in In-Wall Touch Panel (Cinema Room)
RTI 11in In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
RTI KX2 Colour Touch Panel (Projection Room)
RTI KX2 In-Wall Touch Panel Backbox
Barco Balder Cinemascope Laser Projector 4K 2.37:1 (HT)
BAR-BAL-CHT-B
Lumagen 4K Video Scaler (2 Inputs 2 Outputs)
RadiancePro 4240
18GHz Lumagen Video Input Card
Ceiling Mount Projector Bracket
Screen Research Fixed Acoustically Transparent 2.37:1 Projection Screen
4m Professional Series HDMI Cable (Full HDMI 2.0 4K + HDR,
Kaleidescape Strato 4K Media Player 6TB
Kaleidescape Strato 4K Media Player Rack Kit
KMOUNT-K0509-1
Panasonic 4K HDR Blu-Ray Player DP-UB280
Wyrestorm HDMI Extender Kit EX-70-H2
Anthem Integrated 11.2 Ch Dolby Atmos AV Receiver MRX1120
Anthem MRX1120 Rack Kit
Anthem 3 Channel Power Amplifier (Front Speakers) MCA325
Anthem MCA Rack Kit
Subwoofer DSP DDRC-24
Paradigm CI Pro (Fronts) P5 x 3
Paradigm CI Pro (Surrounds) P1 x 6
Paradigm CI Pro (Heights) P80-R x 4
Paradigm Subwoofers Defiance X10 x 6
ATEN 8 Way PDU
Araknis 24 Port Managed POE+ Network Switch AN-310-SW-F-24-POE
Fusion 42U Equipment Rack 600×600
Shure Lavalier Microphone MX150
Shure Microphone Transmitter MXW1
Shure Microphone Charging Station – 2 Way MXWNCS2
Shure Microphone Wireless Access Point MXWAPT2
Shure Microphone Audio Receiver and Converter MXWANI4
CYP Presentation Switch & Scaler with HDMI & HDBaseT LITE Outputs EL-5400-HBT
RTI Software Driver for CYP EL-5400-HBT
Wyrestorm HDMI Extender Kit EX-70-H2
Sennheiser Mobile Connect (up to 100 users)
Vicoustic Diffusion Panels 600 x 600 (Box of 6) DC2
Vicoustic Absorption Panels 600 x 600 (Box of 8) CINEMA ROUND PREMIUM x 4
Display Technologies Port Hole Glass