Sometimes, old landmark buildings — in this case, a former Abbey — need to be turned into something else to stay relevant. But with restoring comes a need for new technology. That’s where a Yamaha audio system fit in with Ons Koningsoord, a former Dutch Trappist monastery.
Located near the city of Tilburg, the impressive Ons Koningsoord (translated as Our King’s Place) building was not allowed to decay when its days as a religious community came to an end.
An ambitious plan was made to renovate, modernize and extend it to provide apartments for both ‘starters’ and the over-55s, plus a community and cultural center, library, youth club, nursery, shop, music school, multi-functional rooms and a restaurant.
What sets this project apart is that it is has a real, living community at its heart. It is designed to provide an enriching way of life for its residents, where each gives a little, but receives a lot in return.
Yamaha Audio System Covers 4 Separate Areas
The AV facilities were designed and installed by Dennis van der Vleuten, of Oisterwijk-based Klundert Audiovisual. As is often the case, the technical infrastructure is complex, but its operation needs to be clear and straightforward to suite a wide range of users.
The install team felt Yamaha audio systems were the ideal solution for these needs, here covering four main areas; the foyer, restaurant, Kerkzaal (Church Room) and Kapittelzaal (Chapter Room).
The foyer houses a bar, billiard tables and other recreational facilities. Here, an MTX3 matrix processor manages an audio system comprising 16 VXS5W loudspeakers, with three VXS3FW loudspeakers in the toilets, all powered by an XMV8280 amplifier and controlled by an iPad running Yamaha’s ProVisionaire Touch app.
Divided into four separately-controlled zones (bar, billiard tables, toilets and outdoors), the audio inputs include microphones, a Spotify feed and an audio feed from the installed video screens.
In the restaurant – located on two floors – 12 VXS5W, nine VXS3FW and one VXC4W loudspeakers cover six zones (bar, lounge/hallway, each floor of the restaurant, terrace and toilets), with another XMV8280, MTX3 and ProVisionaire Touch for power and control.
Sound Configurations Match Pace with Different Rooms
“The Yamaha audio system is configured so that, wherever you are in the restaurant, you hear high quality, even sound,” says Dennis.
The Kerkzaal is used for presentations and music events, also doubling as a library. Here PX10, PX8 and PX5 power amplifiers and another MTX3, plus ProVisionaire Touch, power and control a system that also features a TF1 mixing console and Tio1608-D i/o unit.[related]
“The MTX3 has a number of pre-programmed pre-sets. It includes one for using the TF1 and Tio1608-D on live events,” says Dennis. “The system is also configured so an additional mixing console can be brought in for larger productions.”
Kapittelzaal is a multifunctional space with a straightforward AV setup that includes another MTX-3, a PX3 power amplifier, two VXS8W loudspeakers and a surface-mounted DCP4S4V controller.
“The DCP4S4V allows the different input sources to be mixed and pre-programmed presets on the MTX3 recalled,” explains Dennis.
“I am really happy with how Yamaha’s installation products have allowed me to design the system. It was easy to put together, it has extensive programming capabilities, it’s very reliable and is very straightforward for the end user to operate. In daily use the staff at Ons Koningsoord are very pleased with it.”
