AUDIO-VISUAL SOLUTIONS
URBN: Corporate Presentation Room
Project Requirements
URBN, the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly, needed to upgrade its Acid Bath lecture hall into a high-performance presentation space. Haverford Systems partnered with URBN—one of our long-term clients—to deliver an A/V solution that addressed the room’s unique acoustic requirements.
The Acid Bath lecture hall is part of URBN’s headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a campus redeveloped from a historic shipbuilding site. Located in a repurposed industrial building with high ceilings, exposed brick, and open architecture, the lecture hall’s design introduced acoustic and audio control challenges—especially given its proximity to an adjacent cafeteria. The space needed to support Zoom-enabled meetings, interactive presentations, and large-scale internal communications.
Solution
- Video Conferencing: The setup includes a Logitech Zoom Base Kit, enabling the lecture hall to function as a certified Zoom Room. Three Sony PTZ cameras were strategically positioned to provide comprehensive coverage of the room, capturing multiple angles of both the presenter and the audience. The setup was integrated with an LG video wall.
- Audio System: The audio system was designed to accommodate a variety of speaking formats and room setups. It includes a mix of Shure microphones—two handheld, one gooseneck, and eight wireless boundary microphones—along with a Catchbox throwable mic for interactive audience participation. Six QSC pendant speakers with built-in subwoofers deliver clear, evenly distributed sound.
- Sound Masking: A ceiling-mounted Dynasound sound masking system introduces low-level background noise to counteract distractions from the adjacent cafeteria.
- Control System: The Q-SYS Core processor is the central hub, with a side-loaded Zoom control page that allows users to adjust the display, microphone levels, and speaker volume—all from a user-friendly interface.
Result
Every element of the system—from the strategic camera placement to the mix of microphones and advanced sound masking—was carefully selected to overcome the space’s acoustic and functional challenges. The result is a collaborative, professional environment that supports seamless video conferencing, high-quality audio, and audience engagement. Through custom technology integration, URBN now has a flexible presentation space that aligns with its creative and collaborative workplace culture.
