The Sheikh Zayed Theatre at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a key venue within one of the world’s leading academic institutions. Located in the lower ground floor of the Cheng Kin Ku Building, this 400-seat, tiered lecture theatre hosts a broad spectrum of events, including daily academic lectures, high-profile public discussions, and televised broadcasts. A favored venue for internationally recognized speakers and the recording of BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions, the theatre is vital to the intellectual and civic life of the university. To meet the evolving expectations for hybrid teaching, media production, and live conferencing, LSE embarked on a complete overhaul of the theatre’s AV infrastructure.
The university required a high-performance AV solution capable of supporting daily academic functions as well as dynamic hybrid events. In addition to native lecture recording and presentation delivery, the system needed to accommodate external broadcast crews who regularly connect to the internal infrastructure for live events. Reliability was paramount; any downtime or complexity in system navigation could compromise high-stakes broadcasts or scheduled lectures.
A key consideration was maintaining a flexible presentation environment that could serve both in-person and remote audiences with equal clarity. The AV upgrade had to be deployed during the tight three-week window of the winter recess, requiring precise coordination and pre-planned network configurations. The initial vision included an expansive LED wall, but due to cost and scheduling implications, an alternate display system was specified with three edge-blended laser projectors.
LSE collaborated with UK-based integrator GVAV Ltd and Extron to develop a system centered on network-based video distribution and intuitive AV control. The design team selected Extron NAV Pro AV over IP solutions for their scalability, signal fidelity, and ease of integration with both HDMI and USB sources across the lecture theatre.
The NAV system includes multiple NAV E 501 and NAV E 101 encoders, supporting HDMI, Ethernet, and USB, and NAV SD 101 scaling decoders to distribute content across all endpoints. All NAV endpoints are managed by an Extron NAVigator system manager, which enables centralized configuration and rapid switching of content sources to any display location in the space. Extensive pre-installation network testing, including switch configuration and device validation, enabled the AV team to begin installation with minimal friction.
At the core of system operation is Extron’s advanced control infrastructure. A combination of IPCP Pro 360Q xi control processors and TouchLink Pro tabletop and wall mount touchpanels provide control for instructors and technicians alike. The user interface was carefully designed in collaboration with LSE to accommodate varying user needs, from quick source selection to advanced camera, recording, and hybrid session controls.
The visual backbone of the theatre comprises three edge-blended laser projectors (each delivering 10,000 lumens with 4K enhancement), supplemented by a pair of 75” 4K displays for auxiliary viewing.
For hybrid and remote teaching, four Panasonic PTZ cameras were installed to capture the theatre from multiple angles. These feeds are integrated into the schools streaming platforms and include real-time document sharing.
The installation was completed within the three-week holiday recess, two weeks for deployment and one for testing and commissioning, meeting the university’s critical deadline for reopening at the start of term. The positive impact of the new system was immediate: faculty, students, and visiting presenters benefit from the flexibility to route any source to any display with a single touch. Previously, users were constrained by fixed modes that dictated what could be viewed or recorded. The new design eliminated that rigidity.
The system’s ease of control and flexibility for lectures and high-profile events stand out as major successes. The redesigned touchpanel interface streamlines all AV interactions, from selecting cameras and activating hybrid links to starting a recording or adjusting display feeds. Presenters are able to manage sessions independently from the lectern. Technicians have complete access via all touchpanels, enabling them to resolve issues quickly and keep sessions running smoothly, saving valuable time. The ability to host and manage hybrid events from multiple positions within the theatre has greatly enhanced the venue’s operational agility.
