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Once completed the top floor suite will feature:

Two premiere quality 5.1 surround sound, plasma screen home cinemas
A series of viewing and listening areas throughout the premises interlinked to central and local sources
Custom colour touch screen controls linked to av, security, lights, blinds and comfort systems

The detailed proposals have now gone out to tender and the job is moving into the installation stage.

Note: This is a private job and as such no pictures of the installation are available. Please see our portfolio for information about similar work by HGA.

New Theatre and Control Rooms for Soho’s VTR Group
December 2002

VTR, Soho’s award-winning digital post-production company have been delivering their international clientele "innovation and high-quality work on big commercials and promos, with a relaxed atmosphere" since 1985. This year has seen the commencement of three new-build facilities; a 5.1 studio and an overdub room for their post-production subsidiary "Blue", and a preview theatre for the holding company.

VTR appointed Harris, Grant Associates (HGA) as their studio designers of choice, and work has now commenced on Control Room 1A, Control Room 4 and the projection room. With the initial survey completed, Neil Grant, Managing Director of HGA stated: "The principal concerns with regards to the surround Control Room has been the head-room available for the facility, the isolation requirements that we would like to achieve, and the services access that will be necessary… We propose to use optimised surfaces for acoustic treatment – rather than using standard materials, we can design the performance we require into the local treatments in the ceiling, and machine optimise to get higher levels of performance from a smaller depth of material."

Scheduled for completion next year, these three new rooms will further expand VTR’s ability to "ensure greatness". For further information please visit www.vtrplc.com or www.bluepp.co.uk

Sahara Sound buy Bunk, Junk & Genius
August, 2002

Earlier this month Sahara Sound, founded by Alawi Zawawi (known as ‘Al’), purchased the highly regarded ‘Bunk, Junk & Genius’ studio facilities in South London.

BJG, endearingly referred to as ‘the best kept secret in London,’ is a 48 track studio with an impressive client list including David Bowie, Kylie, Tina Turner, Pet Shop Boys, and most recently, the Stereophonics, who have just finished recording there.

The new owner, Al, is working closely with Director Daniel Roberts and Manager Dave Tyler. Dave, who, among others, has worked with Divine Comedy and Radiohead, was appointed by Sahara Sound as the new Studio Manager to oversee a refit of Studio 1 and to run the facility. "BJG is a well established studio, and has been through a number of incarnations in its history" says Dave. "Sahara Sound aim to build on this reputation and take it to the next level."

Over the last 8 years Harris, Grant Associates have been involved with the acoustics, noise isolation, and commissioning of the audio systems at BJG. With the success of this previous work, the new owners approached HGA for the redesign work. "Neil Grant [MD of HGA] had a lot to do with setting up the room originally," Dave continues. "Some engineers rate this as the best control room in London, and we want to keep it that way."

The centrepiece of the new facility is Studio 1 whose equipment list is presently under review. Sahara Sound intend to keep the existing stereo monitors as they are "ever popular with clients", but the room will be redesigned to incorporate new surround and centre channels to take into account the increasing amount of work in the 5.1 world.

Studio 2, a fully functional HGA designed mastering suite, is occupied by 360 Degree Mastering on a permanent basis. Dick Beetham, who runs 360, has been working with BJG for a number of years, and Sahara Sound are very keen to "carry on the working relationship all under one roof." Dave continues "…we want to be able to provide everything from pre-production to post-production without leaving the building." The newly completed Studio 3, based around a Mackie D8B console, with Protools, logic, ATC monitors, racks of outboard, synth modules and a vocal booth, offers the pre-production end of the service.

"There’s a lot happening in the music industry at the moment," concludes Dave Tyler, " multi-channel audio for SACD and DVDA, faster Internet technologies… we want to exploit these new developments."

Private Theatre Renovation & Upgrade
July 2002

Coastal Acoustics, sister company of Harris, Grant Associates, has just completed rewiring the AV systems for one of the most exclusive homes in the South of England. Hidden in the depths of the Surrey countryside, the multi-room system spans private library, dining and snooker areas, sauna and swimming pool. At the centre of the installation is an open plan 5.1 home theatre with Barco projection and AMX touch panel controls.

Following concerns from the client regarding the quality of the original installation by others, Coastal were asked to survey the facility, and report their findings. The theatre had developed a series of problems during the 18 months since its completion, and to compound these, fault finding was hindered by improperly identified cable ends, and poor cable dressing and management.

Meridian Rack - Professional Cable Management

amx 10" control panel (alternative installation)

Following acceptance of their proposals Coastal commenced a re-installation of the system. The main rack was completely rewired to a professional standard, and an elegant interface panel developed allowing simple decoupling of the bay from the wall to enable easy service access.

During the course of the works all minor faults were dealt with, and all major ones flagged in a report for future upgrade and maintenance. One of the items which caused the client concern was the touch-screen control system programming. "One of the most common complaints voiced by clients is not being able to easily operate the touch screen remote control," says David Newton, Technical Manager. "Complex sub-menu structures, irrational ergonomics and poor planning lead to a highly non-intuitive control system. The user simply wants to press ‘TV’ on the remote and watch the TV! They don't want to be concerned about the screen dropping down from the ceiling, the projector switching on, the TV tuner and sound processing equipment changing to the correct channel and format etc. - it should just happen! We have invested much time and effort in developing ‘user friendly’ interfaces…"

M.Y. Katana - New Zealand Sky Control Upgrade
April 2002

M.Y. Katana, the 74.5m gas turbine Superyacht capable of a staggering 39 knots, has recently been cruising the Pacific Ocean around New Zealand. Formally known as Eco, Katana underwent a major refit last year where HGA were responsible for providing the acoustic and audio-visual upgrade to several areas including the Owner’s Suite, Main deck Salon/Cinema, and two Guest Cabins. The equipment included plasma screens with custom made furniture-integrated hoists, a cinema projector system, and full surround sound, all controlled by custom -programmed touch panels.

This recent tour of the Southern Hemisphere necessitated an upgrade of the satellite receivers to local New Zealand Sky Digital decoders. This also meant an upgrade for the touch screen control systems onboard, which HGA had designed with this contingency in mind.

The code for the AMX control system update was written and tested in the UK and then uploaded onto the Internet. This, along with detailed instructions, allowed the crew to download the upgrade program from the Web, and transfer it onto the AMX Axcent 3 controllers onboard. The new functionality was then automatically available on the relevant touch screens.

David Newton, Technical Manager of HGA stated: "Making the control system intuitive and user friendly is one of the most important aspects to any AV installation job, -it's the interface between the user and the equipment, and the first thing that the client sees. It has to be ‘future-proof’ and simple to upgrade, which requires considerable forethought at the design stage. The client does not want to relearn the controls every time a new piece of equipment is added, so the layout must be in place from the outset to account for any potential additions. The update for Katana was straightforward because we had included provision for the addition of different region satellite decoders from the start."

"Cruising around the chic Mediterranean hotspots in a 100m superyacht is all very nice, but what do you do when it rains? WILL STIRLING examines a cutting-edge on-board home theatre and entertainment system that's good enough for really big boys' toys..."

Smarthouse, the lifestyle technology magazine, has for the second time considered one of HGA's high end jobs worthy of a three page spread. The article, by Will Stirling, talks about one of our larger projects onboard a superyacht and includes information about the CATT software used to acoustically model the room in order to achieve the perfect sound.

Please visit the Smarthouse website for more information: www.smart-house.net

Smarthouse Home cinema and automation magazine

Bexley Business Academy – Design Completion
May 2002

Harris, Grant Associates win acoustic design contract for revolutionary educational facility deemed to be "One of the most impressive schools in the world".

The Bexley Business Academy, due to be opened by the Prime Minister in September this year, will symbolise a radical change in teaching concepts. Offering a new "exciting and stimulating curriculum" to 1,350 students aged 11-18, the school aims to develop skills and interests in a "completely different way to the existing educational system."

As part of the ‘new-millennium learning experience,’ every Friday will be devoted solely to business-related studies. Students will benefit from leading edge IT facilities and a mini stock exchange designed to give an authentic and relevant view of finance, commerce and 21st century industry.

In alignment with this new ethos, the purpose built, state-of-the-art building is to be of radical design. Architects Foster & Partners, working closely with the projects visionary Chief Executive Valerie Bragg, are responsible for this. (See sketch above - Courtesy and © 2001 Foster and Partners Architects)

The open plan layout and large proportion of glass in the structure have necessitated careful acoustic planning in order to minimise student noise. Harris, Grant Associates were employed as chief Acoustical Consultants to the project, providing a wide range of services:

Environmental Acoustics
Architectural Acoustics
Room Acoustic Design
Building Services Acoustics
Monitoring

Much of the complex open-plan foyer and room acoustic design has been modelled using CATT Acoustic software, which allows detailed analysis to be undertaken on the noise characteristics of the statistical environment before construction begins. (See rendering left) Harris, Grant Associates are one of only three named users of the software in the UK, alongside organisations such as NASA in the USA.

The Bexley Business Academy has come into existence as a result of a unique partnership between the sponsor David Garrard, DfES, Bexley Council and 3E's Enterprises. Government ministers have long term plans for at least 50 city academies to be developed in partnership with businesses, regenerating inner urban education.

Click here for further information, pictures, and a virtual reality walk-through of Bexley in our portfolio section.

Bexley Business Academy Web-site

Foster & Partners Architects

New Music Production Studio for Radio Gdansk
March 2002

Regional Polish radio station Radio Gdansk new broadcasting centre…

For the past 3 years Technical Director, Piotr Jagielski and his team at Radio Gdansk have been working towards an all new broadcasting and recording facility. Leading acoustic and technical design consultants Harris, Grant Associates were asked to design the key 5.1 surround sound control room, supplying room layout, acoustic and furniture designs.

Included in the brief was a request for a pair of the highly acclaimed Boxer monitors (below left) manufactured by HGA’s sister company Coastal Acoustics. These were custom designed to fit the available space, and as requested, supplied as a passive loudspeaker package with Crown amplification,

Elizabeth Dittmann, MD of the highly reputed Polish company ED2 won the console bid for SSL, and an MT Plus Digital Multitrack desk was installed. Neil Grant, MD of Harris, Grant Associates met up with Elizabeth, Piotr, and Colin Pringle, MD of SSL at the AES in Munich to celebrate the conclusion of the design phase. (Above right).

Rocket Network Expands European Operations
Feb. 5th, 2002

Company Opens New Office and Demo Facility in London

San Francisco, CA (February 5, 2002) -Rocket Network Inc., the global production network for audio professionals, today announced the opening of a permanent UK office and demo facility at 222 Kensal Road in West London.

The new location, on the borders of Portobello Market and Notting Hill, is a thriving hub for music management and studios facilities. Rocket Network’s office is situated next to Virgin Records and several London-based artists such as Blur, Chemical Brothers, and Dreadzone also have studios in the area.

The expansion reflects the audio industry’s increasing adoption of Rocket Network technology in recent months. Many high profile studios in London are using Rocket Network technology, including Air Studios, Sphere Studios, Strongroom Studios, Videosonics, and Wise Buddah. "Establishing a more permanent presence in London will help us to continue building partnerships with key UK-based industry players," said Pam Miller, Rocket Network’s President and CEO.

Rocket Network is also working with acoustics and design consultancy Harris, Grant Associates (HGA) to build a Rocket Network /Pro Tools demo facility at HGA’s headquarters in Guildford, Surrey. "Harris, Grant is the gold standard of high-end studio design and installation," said Miller. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to showcase Rocket Network technology in the context of a Harris, Grant studio."

Contacts for Rocket Network’s European Headquarters are:

Tim Bran, European Sales, co-founder
Sara Perkins, European Business Manager
Unit 202 Canalot Studios
222 Kensal Road
London W10 5BN
+44 (0) 208 960 4744

About Harris, Grant Associates
Harris, Grant Associates (HGA), trading since 1983, have designed some of the world’s most successful commercial television, film, and recording facilities along with some of the most extraordinary private theatre, studio, and playback systems. In conjunction with subsidiary company Coastal Acoustics, HGA provides acoustical and architectural design, technical systems design and installation, as well as manufacturing Boxer monitors and theatre speaker systems. These systems are installed and maintained worldwide, with clients ranging from private individuals to large-scale corporations. More information can be found at www.harrisgrant.com.

About Rocket Network
Rocket Network is the industry standard global production network for audio professionals. The Company has established this standard through development and resale partnerships with leading audio companies, including Digidesign/Avid, DSP Media, Emagic, Euphonix, MOTU, Steinberg and Waveframe who have developed or are developing "RocketPower" versions of their products. This allows users to access the network via their favorite audio applications. Rocket Network's worldwide network for audio production and session management allows simultaneous multi-user access to files that can be dynamically updated from anywhere, at anytime and provides services that enhance session workflow, such as central secure archiving, talent search, and cross application support. Rocket Network's technology and services are becoming an integral part of a growing percent of professional audio sessions. More information can be found at www.rocketnetwork.com.

Rocket Network, RocketControl, and RocketPower are trademarks of Rocket Network, Inc. All other product and company names are ™ and ® of their respective holders. All specifications are subject to change. All rights reserved. © Rocket Network, Inc. 2002

HGA's Sister Companies Amalgamate
Jan 2002

With the breathtaking advances in technology of the last two decades, the 21st century is a far cry from the mid-eighties when Harris, Grant Associates was first incorporated. The practice was originally conceived as a specialist consultancy - measuring, defining, and designing acoustically challenging spaces, primarily music recording studios. Harris, Grant Associates specialised in the technique of Time Delay Spectrometry, using the TEF TDS-10 analyser, imported from the States.

Harris Grant Associates principal acoustic consultant, Neil Grant, also had a keen interest in researching a range of professional monitors which would enhance any recording environment. As a result, the BOXER loudspeaker range was developed, and Coastal Acoustics incorporated to research the tooling, manufacture, and distribution of the systems. Almost simultaneously, the third company in the group, Discrete Systems, became established as a leading technical system design and installation practice, again very much within the music industry.

Now, some 18 years later, Neil Grant is still very much the head of the group of companies. From its UK headquarters in Guildford, Surrey, the scope of work is worldwide. It should also be said that, despite the companies continuing love affair with the music industry, the business emphasis is perhaps a little more diverse. With core skills of acoustic modelling and optimisation, professional monitor and media systems development, network design and installation, the companies are working on a much broader range of projects and the need to departmentalise the expertise of Discrete Systems and Coastal Acoustics no longer seems relevant.

A decision was therefore taken that as of 31st December, 2001, the businesses of the subsidiary companies Discrete Systems and Coastal Acoustics would be amalgamated. From 1st January, 2002, the trading company will be Coastal Acoustics Limited with responsibility for the supply and installation of media and communications networks, control and automation.

Valkieser
Current

The superstructure of Valkieser, one of the largest and most sophisticated post-production facilities in Northern Europe, is now completed. Final stages of the internal installation are now underway.

One of our longest running client projects - almost 6 years, HGA is responsible for the design of the audio suites as well as the various support structures:

THX and Dolby certified dubbing theatre (acoustic rendering image right)
Music and voice over studio
Three pre-production and editing rooms
Machine rooms
Lounges
Offices...

Please visit the recently updated Valkieser web-site for further information.


	Pre-build rendering			Post-build Photo

Valkiesers Web Site

Valkieser Solutions wins pitch MTV Networks BV
April 29th, 2002

Long term client of Harris, Grant Associates win yet another contract...

MTV Networks BV has chosen Dutch Valkieser Solutions as its new design agency for the creation and design for its new leader. Besides that Valkieser is responsible for the adjustment of the existing MTV-logo for the Dutch market. The Hilversum based multimedia agency has won this pitch at the base of a ‘fresh and sexy’ adjustment of the existing MTV logo. Furthermore the agency won because the proposed leader concept matched very well with the brand values of MTV as well as TMF (The Music Factory).

Reason for the pitch is the repositioning of both music stations MTV and TMF. As per the first of May, MTV will have a fully Dutch character. Both MTV and TMF programs will be made locally in Holland, by Dutch makers of television programmes.

Joris van Heukelom, Director Marketing and Interactive Benelux for MTV Networks BV, says: "We liked the concept of Valkieser, a leader of 45 seconds which will apply to the viewers of both TMF and MTV. The red and yellow colours of TMF staid in the concept and were combined with live-actions shots of dancing youngsters and fragments of music, which suits more with MTV. The result is a well chosen mix of the corporate logo’s of MTV and TMF. More styled, and finished with a sexy touch."

Patrick de Zeeuw, managing director of Valkieser Solutions, is very pleased with the fresh MTV-account. "MTV Networks BV is a dream customer for any multimedia agency. As a full service company we target especially on concept development, design en technical realisation in the field of web, disc, audiovisual and print productions. For years now we have realised station identities for Dutch television programmes and for commercial and public television companies. MTV is a strong, very well known and progressive music channel. We are extremely proud to help with the repositioning of MTV and TMF and to the further and extension of these brands."

Responsible for creation and design with Valkieser Solutions are Vincent de Gooijer and Thijs Dikshoorn.

Valkiesers Web Site

Valkieser Solutions Wins Pitch McDonalds
2002

Valkieser Solutions may welcome a new, appetizing customer. The multimedia agency, an experienced designer of internet-, dvd- and cd-rom applications, has won an important pitch for McDonald’s. The international company chose the Dutch and Hilversum based agency for the development of an e-learning application.

McDonald's opened the first restaurant in The Netherlands on August 21, 1971 in Zaandam. Today, there are over 193 restaurants and over 15,000 employees. By means of e-learning, the American company wants to introduce its current as well as its new employees in an effective way with the working process within the Dutch subsidiaries of McDonald’s.

The company invited six companies to design a concept. Valkieser Solutions hit the mark with the e-learning concept named ‘McLearn’ . This is an interactive application with a high percentage of entertainment. It is designed conceptually as well as technically for an intranet surrounding.

Patrick de Zeeuw, managing director of Valkieser Solutions, is very pleased with this new and prestigious account. De Zeeuw says: "McDonald’s is worldwide a very well known customer. I assume that we have won the pitch because of a mix of our creative approach and our experience with e-learning and concept development. Furthermore, we have all the facilities which are needed to realize this production under one roof. From television studios, camera crew, sound and editing possibilities to technical, 3D and animation designers. Valkieser Solutions offers McDonald’s a tailor made solution, because we notice that there is a growing demand for companies which can make the total production within one company. After all, this saves money and valuable time of our customers."

The last few years Valkieser has developed and designed a great number of applications in the field of e-learning, internet, intranet and content management.