Dublin’s unconventional Centre
A three hundred and eighty million Euro pint of Guinness on the edge of the River Liffey? Dublin’s dazzling new Convention Centre (CCD) opened on 7th September 2010. The iconic glass atrium, locally referred to as an oversized pint of the black stuff, provides just a flavour of the style and innovation that has been incorporated into this landmark structure on Dublin’s waterfront.
Ireland’s first purpose-built (and carbon neutral) convention centre boasts twenty two rooms, with a flexibility that enables it to seamlessly accommodate anything from a group of eight to eight thousand, as well as providing four thousand, five hundred square metres of exhibition space. In addition, the top three levels of the building house a magnificent two thousand seat auditorium lined with beautiful wood panelled walls sourced from sustainable forests.
The technical installation was awarded an entire budget of twelve million Euro allowing it to be packed full of cutting edge, performance enhancing equipment. The PA system of choice throughout the entire venue was from d&b audiotechnik; selected from their wide variety of loudspeaker systems and supplied by their Irish distributor Mosco. Each installation was individually tailored by d&b audiotechnik alongside consultants LSI and Theatre Projects to deliver the highest quality solution. The comprehensive technology plan was designed and specified by Theatre Projects, working in close association with LSI who were responsible for the audio components, communications and AV installations. Andrew Nu is the project manager for LSI, “We worked with Theatre Projects for over a year on the design before we even got to site. The choice of equipment was made in conjunction with TP and the NEC Group, the building operators.”
A combination of Q7, Q10 and E8 loudspeakers alongside Q subwoofers, driven by D6 and D12 amplifiers were chosen to fulfil the various requirements around the venue. The loudspeaker systems can either be fed digitally from DiGiCo desks or, if an analog platform is more appropriate, by a choice of Midas consoles. Each discreet PA can be remotely monitored over the d&b Remote network. The CCD’s Technical Director, Lee Forde explains, “The rationale behind the design of the CCD is quality and flexibility. All rooms feature a comprehensive style of outlets including digital, wireless and analog capabilities. Interconnectivity throughout the CCD is therefore only restricted by the end user’s imagination.”
Project Manager Tom David from Theatre Projects at the CCD has an eye on the longevity of the chosen hardware, “We’ve taken the technical infrastructure as far forward as we can. Our aim was to equip operators with the most forward thinking, rock solid technical infrastructure, for today and into the future.” The commitment to offer clients the very best in technical hardware may appear to be at odds with the current economic climate but business and tourist chiefs estimate the centre will boost the local economy by one hundred and twenty million Euro.
It seems that their belief has been well rewarded; on 1st March the CCD won the Silver Award in the Best Overseas Convention Centre Award from the Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry Awards 2011. Nick Waight, CEO of CCD confirmed this plaudit, “We are delighted to have hosted over two hundred events at The CCD since its opening, which is a testament to the demand for a top quality, purpose built convention centre in the heart of Dublin.” Not bad for a pint of Ireland’s best.
With acknowledgement to mondo dr for some of the editorial content and to CCD for the photographs.
