Enhancing co-living through AV

London, UK, October 2024 – Specialist real estate development company, Long Harbour, recently added two new urban developments to its growing portfolio: The Sessile in Tottenham, North London and Riverstone Heights in Bromley-by-Bow, East London. Both developments are residential co-living spaces, where apartment residents enjoy access to shared amenities for life, work and play. London-based AV specialists, Tateside, were approached by Long Harbour to complete the design and installation of user-friendly AV systems throughout both developments.

“We’ve worked with the Long Harbour group on and off for several years,” reflects Joby Morris, Project Manager at Tateside. “In the past, we’ve designed systems for other Long Harbour projects, but this was our first time working on a project of this scale with the client. Whilst there are differences between the two sites, it was critical to design premium systems that would provide a consistent user experience across both developments.”

What do AV specialists do?

The Tateside team of AV specialists designed and implemented the systems across both developments from scratch, encompassing a broad range of spaces, from reception areas with background audio to meeting rooms and rooftop terraces. Key requirements were for a system that would fit with the high-end spec of the buildings whilst being as user-friendly as possible. Plug-and-play capabilities for building residents and staff were required, so they could fully utilise the AV technology benefits.

“The Sessile development was the larger project, with a greater number of communal spaces,” says Morris. “Here, background audio was required throughout the 10-storey building, plus AV systems for the rooftop Orangery events space, a communal gym and yoga studio and a shared medium-sized meeting room.”

On the other hand, Riverstone Heights, a 27-storey building overlooking the River Lea, required a background audio system in the reception and mezzanine areas. AV for an open-plan meeting room and presentation space on the first floor, plus an audio system for the rooftop terrace further extended the scope.

AV technology benefits

Approaching a project of this scale across two developments on opposite sides of the capital required careful planning and cooperation between Tateside’s AV specialists. “Whilst each development is different in form and requirement, we needed to provide the same user experience,” continues Morris. “From a planning perspective, this meant keeping lines of communication open and regular between the teams working on each development.”

Martin Audio’s CDD series loudspeakers form the backbone of the background audio systems across both Long Harbour sites, with a Bose Professional backend for amplification and DSP. A custom-designed app, based on the Bose Professional Connect App, accessible on iPad, makes for easy system control for staff and apartment residents. Furthermore, digital control wall plates are integrated throughout.

At The Sessile, residents can enjoy access to a private gym and yoga studio, plus amenities such as a vinyl listening room and meeting room. Whilst the gym features a more performance-focused audio system, with 10 Martin Audio CDD6 loudspeakers and three SX210 subwoofers, the yoga studio goes one step further with an Epson projection system allowing users to share custom visuals to enhance the ambience. Audio in this space is from Bose, consisting of DM6C in-ceiling loudspeakers.

“On the top floor of both developments are rooftop terraces, where residents can chill out, enjoy the sunshine and the views over the city,” says Jack Cornish, Technical Director at Tateside. “We deployed the same solution across both spaces; Episode Terrain weatherproof loudspeakers in planters, allowing us to install good audio reinforcement without cluttering the areas with tech.”

Additionally, the Orangery at The Sessile includes a dedicated DJ area, requiring a performance system with various custom input plates to enable visiting artists to plug and play. Eight Martin Audio CDD6B loudspeakers and two Sx210 subwoofers provide a party-ready system.

Modern-day co-working tech

No modern co-living space would be complete without an area for co-working. Both Riverstone Heights and The Sessile provide dedicated private meeting spaces. Both spaces are based on Barco Clickshare for conferencing and content sharing combined with a Bose VB1 Video bar, providing premium audio and video. Both spaces feature a Samsung display screen.

“The scale of the project posed logistical challenges,” explains Morris. “We needed to coordinate with dozens of stakeholders and contractors to work towards multiple deadlines as different floors and spaces opened at different times. Having a consistent standard of technology across both The Sessile and Riverstone Heights helped us to be methodical and efficient in the design and installation and deployment of the systems.”

Both Riverstone Heights and The Sessile now have quality AV systems that enhance the overall ambience of the developments and enable users to enjoy a consistent user experience thanks to Tateside’s care in providing accessible options for system control and management. 

“From the reception areas to the rooftops, our involvement on the Long Harbour project allowed us to showcase Tateside’s wide array of technical specialisms,” concludes Morris. “The project required us to work across project management, system design and installation, integration and more, and both ourselves and the client are pleased with the end result.”

Are you looking to upgrade your AV meeting room technology? Or do you need to set the mood with the perfect background music? Check out our corporate projects!