Projects Department Ltd Celebrate 'Best Of Show' Award

Projects Department Ltd are an independent consultancy, design, supply and installation company specialising in TV studio installations worldwide.

Established in 1999 by Peter Daffarn, who already had many years of working in the design of TV studio lighting system, they have designed, supplied and installed studios across the globe. PDL recently won a “Best of Show” award at IBC2017 for the work they did at YouTube Spaces, London.

Working alongside the overall broadcast consultant, Wave Science Technology, PDL did the consultancy and design for three studios and common area lighting for the new YouTube spaces in Kings Cross, London. The two larger studios feature custom-built motorised truss supplied from ATC in Austria and powered by a motor/gearbox designed by Doughty to PDL's specification. The smaller studio features a single level lighting grid as do the common areas which were all blended to match the building aesthetics. The lighting control system was another bespoke design using Eaton/Zero88 to provide an extremely flexible system that allows quick and easy access to pre-stored scenes. For larger productions there is an FLX in the main control room and another portable unit that can be used anywhere.

PDL then went on to supply, install and commission the entire production lighting system, on time and within budget to their usual high standard. Due to the number of other trades needing access to the studio space during normal working hours, this could only be achieved by working overnight so the PDL team stepped up to the challenge. For the main stock of luminaries, PDL worked closely with Photon Beard in the design and development of the new Highlight LED range to ensure they matched the requirements of not only this project but also answered the need for high quality, directional, soft lighting. Something that was lacking in the market. Photon Beard supplied a selection of the remote phosphor Highlight LED range to complement the existing lighting stock that YouTube already owned. New effects lighting came from the Martin Rush range.

Within the whole design there are a number of unique points such as the single level lighting grid which is designed to be functional but also aesthetically pleasing. The common areas needed to be primarily pleasing to view whilst also providing great lighting when required and this was achieved with the aforementioned single level grid and wireless DMX from Eaton/Zero88.

Other recent projects completed by PDL include:

• The design supply and installation of two studios for Fana Broadcasting in Ethiopia in conjunction with Sony, Dubai
• The University of West England in conjunction with Multilite and 4KXL
• Chatham House in conjunction with IPE Technologies.

Projects Department Ltd listen to your individual requirements and then, using 30 plus years' experience, and by working closely with the best manufactures, PDL achieves great results for its clients and everyone is a winner.

This article is also available to read in the October edition of Broadcast Film and Video here, page 23.

www.projectsdepartment.com

(JP/LM)