Arena Sergel, a new co-working location in the heart of Stockholm created by Vasakronan, one of Sweden’s largest commercial property companies, is equipped with a sound environment to support the different needs, functions and flows in the facility in a design by Efterklang that utilizes Genelec 4000 Series installation loudspeakers supported by Smart IP software tools.
Margareta Andersson, sound architect and section manager at Efterklang, explains, “The key is a well-balanced interplay between acoustic measures and psychoacoustically anchored sound design. Psychoacoustics is the study of the relationship between sounds and how sound affects us. The aim is to create an inviting environment where visitors and co-workers can relax and feel safe.
“Visual themes have also been enhanced with sound design – the sound design in the internal stairwell, which is festooned with greenery, evokes a forest environment with birdsong,” she continues. “Also, the open fireplace effects have been elevated with the sound of fires crackling and the scent of woodsmoke. In fact, there is sound almost everywhere you go, from background music in the social areas to a gradient soundscape in the working areas – which goes from completely silent focus spaces to nature-inspired sound masking in the open flex areas. We have even designed soundscapes for the restrooms for extra well-being and privacy.”
Efterklang worked with AV integration firm JML-System AB to define the components to achieve the desired results. Anthony Berry, VC and collaboration specialist at JML, notes that the system covers four levels with more than 20 individual zones.
“We used the compact Genelec 4420s in all the main zones – 114 in total – except for two event zones in which we used the larger 4430s, since those areas required more power and the extended frequency range provided by 4430s,” Berry says. “We opted for Smart IP loudspeakers for a number of reasons; firstly, they are active speakers, which means that there is no need for amplifiers – this is a huge advantage when you’re dealing with high numbers of loudspeakers, as we were for this installation.
“Secondly, they are powered over Ethernet, meaning there were no long speaker cable runs required and there was also no need to have separate power outlets to each speaker. This simplifies installation enormously. Furthermore, as the Smart IP loudspeakers use the Dante protocol and benefit from control via Genelec’s Smart IP Manager software (delivered over the same cable incidentally), we were able to adjust and tune each individual speaker to create uniform coverage throughout the office. We were also able to configure which speakers were located in each zone, or create new zones as needed. This type of flexibility is not possible with standard 100/70-volt speaker systems, but it’s enormously helpful when configuring large systems.”
Berry also points out the challenges and of a networked audio system such as this one. “As with any network-based system, it is of course critical that both JML and Vasakronan’s IT provider were on the same page,” he explains. “There was a significant amount of coordination required to ensure that we had the requisite network ports in the right locations, that the network supported the PoE requirements of the Smart IP loudspeakers, and that all required network configuration was carried out and tested prior to commissioning.
