The Academy of Medical Sciences partners with Whitwam AVI to upgrade the AV system in its conference room.

The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) is an independent UK organisation dedicated to advancing medical research and health policy. Its headquarters, located in the heart of London’s Marylebone district at 41 Portland Place, serves both as the home of the Academy and as an events venue.

Whitwam AVI has been a trusted partner of AMS since 2010, delivering a wide range of audiovisual solutions that have evolved with the Academy’s needs. The latest project, a complete refurbishment of the Wolfson Conference Suite, marks another milestone in this long-standing collaboration.

We are proud to have worked with AMS for many years, and the team understands not only their technical requirements and preferences, but also how they work and how the spaces should feel. These considerations shaped our approach to the Wolfson Conference Suite project, explains Andrew Pymm, Director at Whitwam AVI.

The refurbishment, designed in collaboration with Philip Meadow Cross Architects and interior design studio Eve Waldron Design, took place between 2023 and 2024. The work on the Wolfson Suite formed part of a wider building renovation, which also included new lighting, upgraded interiors and digital signage.

For the Wolfson Suite, the Academy sought to create a space capable of hosting a wide variety of events and meetings — from hybrid conferences with remote participants to panel discussions and lectures. The upgrade needed to respect the architectural character of the venue and the interior design elements being implemented throughout the building.

“The client’s goal was versatility. They didn’t just want better projection and audio; they wanted a space that could be configured and customised depending on the event”, continues Pymm. “Our role was to make that possible”.

Whitwam designed and integrated a complete audiovisual and control system, based on Crestron CP4 and the Q-SYS Core 110F DSP. Two Netgear M4250 AV switch networks ensure reliable AV-over-IP and Dante audio distribution, while the Domotz remote monitoring system provides continuous support and minimises downtime in case of technical issues.For projection, the Fujifilm FP-Z6000 ultra-short-throw projector was a carefully considered choice. Its unique lens design allowed it to be installed close to the screen with no risk of image distortion, while also preventing presenters from casting shadows.

We needed a large, bright image without a projector hanging over the audience or interruptions caused by people moving around the room. The Fujifilm projector’s wide-diameter aspherical lens allows for discreet integration and delivers a far superior visual experience, states Pymm.

Complementing the main projection, three Samsung repeater screens were installed on the walls to ensure clear visibility from every seat. These displays can also be used for digital signage and branding through the building-wide Onelan system.

Video signal routing from inputs to displays is handled by an Extron DTP CrossPoint 84 4K scaling matrix switcher, while a Lightware Taurus UCX 2x1 allows presenters to use the room’s peripherals via a single USB-C cable. Additionally, a Barco Clickshare CX30 enables one-touch wireless conferencing presentations.

For clear speech capture, Whitwam installed a Shure MXA920 beamforming ceiling microphone, paired with multiple Sennheiser wireless systems and gooseneck microphones for events with several speakers. Distributed audio is delivered via Tannoy ceiling loudspeakers and compact, high-performance K-Array Domino KF26 speakers, powered by Q-SYS Core processing and K-array Kommander KA-14 amplifiers. The Sennheiser Dante-enabled MobileConnect system provides hearing assistance and accessibility.

Regarding video capture, keeping remote participants engaged requires the right camera for each scenario. For boardroom-style meetings, the Q-SYS NC110 camera offers reliable performance. When more flexibility is needed, Whitwam developed and supplied a portable hybrid system. For presentations requiring precise framing and speaker tracking, tripod-mounted Panasonic PTZ cameras provide accurate composition, ensuring remote attendees enjoy an experience as close as possible to that of those in the room.

“Because the space is used by many different people, ease of use was a priority for the Wolfson Conference Suite”, explains Pymm. “A Crestron touchscreen at the lectern allows simple AV control, while another touchscreen at the back of the room manages lighting. Full technical control, for advanced management by the in-house team, is available via a portable 10-inch Crestron touchscreen”.

Working with Whitwam on the renovation of the Wolfson Conference Suite has been a positive experience. Their attention to detail, technical expertise and ability to integrate seamlessly with the overall building refurbishment have resulted in a space that not only meets but exceeds expectations, comments Frank Osborne, Head of Property & Facilities at the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Thanks to Whitwam’s AV and lighting integration, the Wolfson Conference Suite has been transformed into a flagship space for events and hybrid conferences, combining a robust technical infrastructure with thoughtful, coherent design.