Princeton Chapel, an architectural icon completed in 1928, stands as one of the largest university chapels in the world and one of the most impressive examples of Collegiate Gothic design. Today, the chapel serves as a hub for spiritual, ceremonial, and musical events, drawing visitors from around the world. The chapel's rich history and architectural significance required a careful and considerate approach to any modifications.
Washington Professional Systems was hired to install a comprehensive audio system overhaul and infrastructure upgrade for the gothic-styled, 95-year-old chapel. WPS integrated modern audio technologies throughout, designed for balancing clarity for speech, choir and instruments for a variety of events without sacrificing the chapel's architectural integrity.
Project Highlights Include:
System Design: In collaboration with SIA Acoustics, WPS engineered a multi-purpose audio system that caters to diverse events, from worship services and lectures to concerts and weddings. The design emphasizes both operator and non-operator modes, to ensure ease of use for all chapel staff.
Distributed Audio: The integration of 13 Renkus-Heinz Iconyx-series loudspeakers and Fulcrum Acoustic's RX599-series and CX8-series loudspeakers were installed for quality sound, ensuring both speech intelligibility and tonal balance for instrumental and choir performances.
Audio Console & Network: The chapel's audio system employs an Allen&Heath Avantis digital mixing console and a Dante-based network, for efficient signal routing and low latency.
Recording and Production System: The new system, compatible with ProTools DAW, expands the chapel's broadcasting and recording capabilities, capturing quality audio for a global audience.
Communication System: A Clear-Com system facilitates communication among the production team, for smooth event operations.
Microphone System: A diverse range of microphones, including DPA, Earthworks, Audix, and Shure are used for optimal audio capture for various applications. Additionally, a Shure wireless microphone system delivers coverage throughout the chapel.
Assisted Listening System: The ListenTech system offers an enhanced listening experience for audience members, designed to bring inclusivity for all attendees.
Challenges & Solutions:
Given the chapel's historical significance, WPS worked closely with Princeton's historic preservation team and project architects. A tiered escalation process was implemented to ensure that alterations to the chapel's irreplaceable stone and woodwork were minimized. Additionally, to accommodate the chapel's daily activities, WPS implemented staggered work shifts, ensuring uninterrupted chapel operations.
Outcome:
WPS's state-of-the-art audio system has transformed the auditory experience at Princeton Chapel. The system's advanced capabilities are designed to allow the chapel to be a source of spiritual and musical excellence for years to come and include a user-friendly design for those operating it.
"We are immensely proud of our team for what they accomplished at the chapel," says Joe Zamborsky, Operations Manager and Project Lead for WPS. "This project demonstrates our ability to deliver top-tier audio solutions while respecting and preserving historical landmarks."
To read about this project in more detail, please visit: https://wpsproav.com/integration-case-studies/princeton-university-chapel/
