CASE STUDY: MULTIPLE SCREEN LEARNING SPACE AT MONASH UNIVERSITY

Project Overview

As part of the new, cutting-edge Learning and Teaching Building at their Clayton campus, Monash University required a highly specialised and adaptable motorised TV lift solution. The centrepiece of the new building is the innovative ‘Learning in the Round’ space, specially designed to provide a vibrant, flexible environment that can be adapted to suit a wide range of teaching and learning styles including collaborative and interactive working.

The vision for a truly flexible, modern learning space naturally included the use of AV equipment. It was vital that multiple screens across the learning space could be reconfigured quickly, easily and conveniently. Specifically, Monash required a ceiling-mounted, octagon-shaped system to hold eight 98 inch screens, weighing 720kg in total. This also needed to allow for each screen to be lowered independently. A particular challenge was that this custom solution needed to be designed, manufactured and delivered within a six to eight week timeframe.

COLLABORATION TO MEET REQUIREMENTS

Working in close collaboration with other specialists in the industry (CHW Consultants and Rutledge AV) Ultralift completed numerous site visits and discussions with the University in order to fully understand the space and what the bespoke octagonal TV lift system would need to achieve in practice.

From there, our expert design team were able to develop a unique ceiling-mounted steel frame capable of both supporting the weight of eight large screens and delivering the functionality of independent, motorised movement for each one, allowing for a range of different viewing and servicing heights.

THE RESULT

The designs helped to make the vision of a modern, flexible world class learning environment a reality and impressed all the stakeholders. We then moved to manufacture a custom-made octagonal mild steel structure which houses eight further steel frames which move independently. These frames are driven by tubular motors and high-quality drawer slides, allowing each 98 inch screen around the room to be raised or lowered to the desired height within a two metre range. To ensure the safety of staff and students, each frame and screen is fitted with fall arrests.