NanoLumens Helps Integrate 21st Century Technology Into Phoenix College
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Phoenix College, considered a ‘Masterpiece’, and erected as a result of the ‘New Deal’ promised by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to get millions of people back to work after the Great Depression, is the flagship institution of the Maricopa County Community College District and one of the largest community college districts in the U.S..
NanoLumens, Norcross, Georgia-based manufacturer and marketer of indoor LED displays, has been helping bring the 20th century architectural marvel into the 21st century technology.
The Bulpitt Auditorium, one of the first six buildings designed for the new campus in 1939, serves as the centerpiece for Phoenix College and hosts many important college, district and community events.
Dr. Mark Koan, CIO and Dean of Information Technology at Phoenic College, says, “As we considered the range of diverse events hosted in this venue, as well as the college’s commitment to innovation, we focused our design goals on enhancing the auditorium’s historic appeal with state-of-the-art lighting, audio, and video technology. When we found the video solution from NanoLumens, we knew we had to find a way to work it into the budget. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”
Doug McCarthy, director, Phoenix College Facilities Planning and Development, says that great care was exercised in the planning and execution of the auditorium’s renovation to preserve the integrity of the Art-Deco/Early Mid-Century design while bringing it up to current code compliance and functionality.
“Chip Shay of SPS+ Architects was retained to design the project,” says McCarthy. “Chip is a certified acoustician who also has a great deal of experience in theater renovation. The success of this project was a result of a strong collaboration with the college’s Facilities Planning, Administration, Music, and IT departments. The vision and goal was to create an environment conducive to compete with and/or exceed modern Phoenix venues, while honoring the past glory of the historic building.”
The renovation involved the installation of new electric rigging and drapes, LED lighting, mechanical systems, structural enhancements and cosmetic renovations. Great care was taken in the selection of the finishes, windows, lighting devices and colors to enhance and capitalize on the original design of the building. Even the original outside lighting fixtures were refurbished and reused. These fixtures are now re-installed with LED lamps; an example of the level of detail that went into the project. Each need examined in the planning and completion of this project was reviewed for relevance from a functional and historic standpoint.
Phoenix College chose NanoLumens to supply two 5mm NanoSlim displays, each measuring 181” diagonally, based on several important characteristics, including technology, customization, and warranty. The new installation is expected to have a lifespan of 100,000 hours or 11 years, which ever comes first, and NanoLumens is guaranteeing this performance with its unprecedented six-year, zero defect warranty program.
The fact that the NanoLumens displays are ultra-thin and light in weight, manufactured in the United States, feature ‘hot-swappable’ LED nixels, are front serviceable, deliver a seamless bezel-free viewing experience and are designed to be extremely quiet and energy efficient — “and the selection of NanoLumens became the right one for us,” says Mike Poplin, director of technology support and media services at the college’s Information Technology Department.
“What’s more, the new installation space features completely open windows that had been covered up by dry wall for many years. Even with the new open windows, the NanoLumens displays deliver an outstanding picture quality!”
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