Case Study: How Southall Partnered with IPS to deliver An Exceptional On-Site Experience
southall farm & inn chose IPs to design and install comprehensive av solutions throughout its luxury resort property in franklin, tennessee.
Introduction
To enhance the guest experience and ensure seamless technology integration with its natural aesthetics, Franklin, Tennessee’s Southall Farm & Inn partnered with IPS to facilitate the resort’s audio and visual needs. This case study explores how IPS provided bespoke AV solutions to align with Southall’s vision of harmonizing modern amenities with rustic charm and natural beauty. From initial concept to execution, we’ll delve into the unique challenges, solutions, and impact that our professional solutions had on the overall guest experience.
Project Overview
The Southall project began in 2019 under the leadership of Andy Bosquet, now IPS’s Director of Operations. The initial concept was designed during the early construction phase, but the project and scope evolved significantly as construction progressed. This evolutions furthered the need for local, professional AV expertise to ensure seamless support. The final scope included extensive audio systems throughout the resort, including guest rooms, cottages, restaurants, event spaces, and common areas. The IPS team worked with the client throughout construction to adapt to both budgetary constraints and design changes.
Team
The IPS Integration team worked closely with Southall and multiple general contractors. This collaboration was critical, given the project’s complexity and the involvement of different contractors handling various facility segments. The use of subcontractors allowed IPS to meet the project’s demanding timeline and adapt to its evolving needs.
The IPS Team Included:
Andy Bosquet, Director of Operations
Josiah Harmon, Project Manager
Jon Conant, Design Engineer
Client Engagement
Paul Flint from Southall was the primary point of contact, and deeply emphasized the need for a local AV partner. Paul and the extended Southall team valued IPS’s availability and responsiveness, particularly during critical phases. Frequent communication and a flexible approach were keys to client success, as IPS navigated through numerous design iterations and on-the-fly adjustments to fulfill Southall’s requirements.
Design Process
The design process was iterative, starting with concept drawings and evolving into detailed plans. Initially, the project envisioned individualized audio and comfort settings for each room. This idea was ultimately scaled back to a more feasible and holistic solution allowing for comprehensive audio coverage across the resort. The final design included TVs and soundbars in guest rooms and cottages, as well as speakers in public areas such as on site restaurants, the Spa, and common outdoor areas.
Challenges
The project faced several challenges, including frequent design changes, daily site variables, and shifting project points of contact. The lack of a fixed budget meant that IPS had to provide quotes for approval on a case-by-case basis. The construction pace dictated the installation schedule, requiring IPS to adapt continuously and manage multiple ongoing projects at the same location.
Technical Specifications
The Southall integration project featured a comprehensive range of advanced audio, video, and control systems tailored to each area of the resort. The Spa featured QSC ceiling speakers and amplifiers, alongside Episode landscape speakers for outdoor ambiance.
In the Inn, QSC ceiling speakers, surface mount speakers, and pendant speakers were installed, all driven by QSC amplifiers.
The Event Center utilized a mix of QSC ceiling and surface mount speakers, Shure ULXD wireless systems, and QSC Bluetooth receivers, with Barco ClickShare for seamless video integration.
Cottages were equipped with QSC surface mount speakers, Bluetooth receivers, and Samsung TVs with soundbars. The Jammery included QSC surface mount speakers, Shure ULXD wireless systems, and Blackmagic Design router for video routing. Throughout the resort, QSC QSYS control systems and touch screen controllers provided distributed and intuitive control.
Key Takeaways
The Southall project highlighted the importance of flexibility and close client collaboration in AV integration and installation projects. IPS’s ability to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining open communications and managing multiple stakeholders was crucial to the project’s success. The team’s dedication and willingness to go the extra mile ensured that Southall’s ambitious vision was realized.
Conclusion
The Southall AV project stands as a reflection of the quality and performance our IPS team provides. By implementing tailored solutions and maintaining a high level of client engagement, IPS successfully delivered a sophisticated and adaptable AV environment for this luxury hospitality retreat. This project underscore’s IPS’s diverse end user environments in the integration and permanent installation space, helping to further solidify the company’s trajectory as a nationwide AV solutions provider.
