Consultant and lighting designer Aleksandar Lalicki relies on LynTec Power Control to renovate the Alejandro Gomory Cultural Forum at anahuac Mayab University.
Lyntec
Anahuac Mayab University in Merida, Yucatan, attracts students not only for its emphasis on business but also for the presence of music, dance and theater from the region. It is critical that the university continues to invest in its building, infrastructure and audiovisual systems as part of that rich cultural tapestry. With this in mind, the university authorities turned their attention to the renewal of the cultural Forum "Alejandro Gomory" of the institution.
Designed by prominent Merida architect Augusto Quijano, the originally 450-seat auditorium was one of the first and most prominent buildings on campus. However, after 30 years, it had become obsolete and poorly equipped, with lighting and acoustics in need of renovation. The university formed an ambitious plan to turn the space into a vibrant and acoustically excellent venue with an expanded stage, improved LED and AV lighting, increased seating capacity, and significant behind-the-scenes improvements.
In addition to hiring an architecture studio, they turned to Aleksandar Lalicki, a theater, design and lighting consultant widely known for his expertise in lighting, sound and video, as well as for his specialty in working with Merida's heritage buildings.
Lalicki has helped redesign several local museums and art venues, including the new Palacio de la Música and the historic "Peón Contreras" theater. These buildings have shaped Lalicki's approach to ensuring beautiful audio, video and lighting designs. While guests will appreciate Lalicki's work in what they see and hear, it's what works behind the scenes that's as critical as a component of his designs: reliable, easy-to-use power distribution and control. For all-LED theatrical and stage lighting, as well as audio and video, LynTec remote control switch panels are Lalicki's first and only option.
"LynTec is engineer-designed for engineers," Lalicki said. "It is built on the Schneider Electronics Square D platform, which is already standardized in Mexico. It ships quickly, saves space and time from an installation standpoint and is easy to use."
LynTec's patented RPC series offers easy remote setup, control and monitoring in a single panel. It is the most advanced stand-alone controllable switch panel available today. With web-enabled control and monitoring, it allows users to remotely operate up to 168 motorized circuit breakers from a single controller or set up to 12 switch group zones. As a result, AVL systems turn on and off properly, ensuring the longevity of LED, audio and video lighting components. The built-in browser interface and Apps from Android and Apple ensure that users can monitor and control connected AVL systems from any remote location via a smartphone, tablet or laptop. In addition, it can be controlled directly and easily by QSC Q-SYS Platform from a simple pre-programmed plugin.
Installed AVI equipment
The excellent results that Lalicki achieved with the LynTec RPC panels in his other projects served as a testimony and model for the "Gomory" auditorium. "Gomory" stage lighting included 16 PAR LED luminaires from Altman Lighting; six Altman Lighting LED ellipsoidals; eight Altman Cyclorama RGBA LEDs; and a Chauvet Professional Ovation SP-300CW LED tracking light. The lighting of the auditorium house has ambient LED luminaires that change Axalight color.
The sound system is composed of an Allen & Heath SQ-5 digital mixer; two Allen & Heath DX164 expanders; and a range of Shure microphones, as well as VUE audiotechnik h-Class subwoofers and speakers. Video components include the Epson Powerlite Pro laser L1405U large event projector, Sony's Blu-ray player, Draper Paragon E Matte motorized display, and CSW-HDBT300M Comprehensive switch and scaler.
For installation, the 30-circuit LynTec RPC 329 panel provided simple and remote on/off control for lighting and video, as well as proper sequencing of the audio system. In addition, it offered the option to use DMX digital multiplex and RDM remote device management controls, which helped make the installation more competitive in terms of price. Another benefit of using LynTec panels is that they meet the UL and NOM product safety standards required for all electronic equipment in Mexico and LynTec was able to deliver all necessary products in less than 10 days, ensuring that work did not fall behind the busy schedule. Once on site, the panels were easily installed with a single connection.
The grand reopening of the "Gomory" auditorium, now with capacity for 700 people, featured an 80-member symphony orchestra, something impossible before the renovation. After experiencing the success of the inauguration and the acoustics of the space, the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra decided to change its headquarters to the "Gomory" auditorium for its winter concert. Upon hearing the new system, one of the university's professors commented that the acoustics rivaled the legendary Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
"I think that the installation "Gomory" will be a reference for the rest of the university auditoriums for its acoustics and its controllable stage lighting and the ambient lighting of the auditorium. It's important to make both my client and the public audience happy, without breaking the bank. The success of this venue opens the doors for us to continue working with the university on new projects such as the new, larger multi-purpose sports and cultural space," said Lalicki.
