Audiovisual Design in the Built Environment

By John R. Hardwick  | Principal Advisor Audiovisual & Acoustics, Seattle

Audiovisual systems are a core part of how occupants experience a space. Early coordination during programming and schematic design helps align systems with the architectural concept, reducing conflicts, preserving aesthetics, and avoiding late-stage compromises. It also strengthens AV technology integration, scalable audiovisual solutions while optimizing ceiling and wall space, coordinating with lighting and acoustics, and minimizing schedule impacts.

The Purpose of Audiovisual Systems

Audiovisual systems play a key role in how presenters communicate information and ideas within a space. While traditional tools such as whiteboards, storyboards, and flip charts rely heavily on audience interpretation, today’s audiovisual systems create a more immersive, real-time experience by integrating sight and sound into the presentation.

Considerations for a Successful Project

Audiovisual as a design discipline is often out of sight, out of mind, yet its impact is highly visible in the final space. In most cases, color, size, mounting methods, elevations, and integration with other equipment are negotiable before or during early space planning. As design progresses, available space for audiovisual equipment becomes limited and the impacts of each device more complex. The ideal time to coordinate audiovisual equipment is after walls are placed but before finishes are selected.

As an audiovisual designer, clear communication with the design team and user group is essential. Early involvement allows system features, trim devices, and rough-in requirements for televisions, speakers, wall plates, and cameras, to be coordinated with other disciplines. This helps preserve space dedicated to architectural features and reduces RFIs or construction changes.

When Audiovisual Decisions Have the Most Leverage

Audiovisual is a discipline that depends on yet also impacts other disciplines, such as:

Information Technology: Nearly all audiovisual equipment rides on or is controlled by the network. Negotiating with the information technology department for a virtual local area network (VLAN) or a dedicated copper pathway is an everyday occurrence in the audiovisual industry.

Electrical: Audiovisual equipment can add electrical load, conduit and box, or rough-in requirements for the Division 26 electrical contractor. Electrical loads associated with audiovisual equipment can be significant, requiring an isolated ground, dedicated transformer, and load center to keep power clean of motor or lighting loads.

Mechanical: Mechanical systems must account for the heat generated by amplifiers, projectors, and equipment racks when considering the conditioned environment.

Structural: The structural envelope needs to support field devices which can add significant load to the foundation, structure, and roof diaphragm of a building. For example, speakers and hanging infrastructure routinely exceed 500 pounds while light-emitting diode (LED) video walls, flown truss, and stacked equipment routinely exceed 2,000 pounds.

Acoustical: The acoustical qualities of a venue directly impact the intelligibility of the installed sound system equipment. Alternatively, uncontrolled or poorly designed sound systems negatively affect the acoustical environment. Ideally, the audiovisual and acoustical systems are tuned to support each other.

Architecture: Finally, architectural considerations often dictate where audiovisual trim devices are placed. Typically, audiovisual devices live in the prime real estate that lighting and mechanical equipment also like to occupy.

Audiovisual Design in Practice

Presentation technology is now so widespread that you’ll find it almost everywhere—from your home, on your commute, at your workplace, and again when you come back home at the end of the day. The audiovisual designer of today needs to interact with and connect the architect, customer, and design disciplines, resulting in a built environment that has a desirable experience for all who use the space.

For more details or project specific guidance, contact us. We’re here to help!