Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 96
Saint Michael’s Abbey balances
tradition and technology in
comprehensive AV, IT and
Security system integration in
partnership with Whitwam AVI
Specialist systems integrators design and install future-proof audio, video, broadcast and CCTV
solution at the historic Benedictine monastery
Perched atop a hill on the Hampshire-Surrey border, Saint
Michael’s Abbey is a small monastic community where
Benedictine values and worship have been observed and
preserved since the Abbey’s foundation in 1895. Living a
traditional life of prayer, work and study, the community
of monks at Saint Michael’s welcomed a recent upgrade
of the Abbey’s AV, IT and security systems, a project led
by specialist systems integrators Whitwam AVI, experts
in the intricacies of installing technology in historic and
listed buildings.
Brother Michael, a resident of Saint Michael’s Monastery
responsible for overseeing the community’s operations,
reached out to Whitwam AVI following a visit he made
to Saint George’s Chapel in Windsor. “I appreciated the
attention to detail which had been taken to respect the
surroundings when installing the technology at Saint
George’s,” recalls Brother Michael. “On seeing the
custom-coloured loudspeakers, I knew this would be a
great solution for Saint Michael’s Abbey. Our community
has a long and very interesting history, so preserving and
celebrating this heritage whilst ensuring our technologies
are up to date is important to us.”
Whilst the original enquiry was focused on upgrading the
Abbey’s sound system, the project scope quickly grew,
thanks to the commissioning of a full restoration of the
Abbey. “Originally, we were designing for a new audio
system, new microphones and a camera and video system
to improve visibility for the Abbey’s organist,” recalls Ray
Clarke, Operations and Engineering Manager at
Whitwam AVI. “When the restoration work went ahead,
our side of the project was temporarily put on hold, whilst
the interior stonework was conserved and cleaned by a
specialist contractor. The project was then expanded to
encompass the original requirement, plus a broadcast
streaming system, CCTV and the integration of a
site-wide networking solution across the Abbey and the
Monastery.” Whitwam AVI’s work at Saint Michael’s
would now involve IT, AV and security elements, with
the aim of not only enhancing the experience of the
existing monks and congregation but expanding the
Abbey’s reach to larger audiences via a live streaming
solution.
