Founded in 1902, Bocconi University is a leading European teaching and research institution with a strong international orientation and an offer encompassing the areas of Economics, Management, Legal Studies, Political Science and Data and Computer Science. A recent expansion of the university's facilities encompasses the state-of-the-art Bocconi Sport Center, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, fitness area and the multifunctional Bocconi Sports Arena. Studio Sound Service led the integration of a suitably innovative AV system at the new facilities, in collaboration with Laser Entertainment and VideoGecom. Audio solutions from the Italian brand, K-array, were key to providing a high-quality PA system that would withstand the challenges of a multi-sports facility.
“The goal of the project was to establish uniform, high-quality sound diffusion without using loudspeakers that were excessively large or visually impactful,” explains Donato Masci, CEO and Technical Director at Studio Sound Service. “In the Sports Arena and the swimming pool spectator stands, the main focus was on increasing speech intelligibility.”
In total, the project at Bocconi University encompassed three main zones: the pool area, the main hall and the gym. The modern architecture of the centre, with expansive open spaces, required careful product selection and acoustic design and configuration to achieve consistent and coherent audio coverage. The main hall is a multipurpose auditorium, intended for hosting presentations and events. “We needed a directive system, rather than an omnidirectional one, in order to direct the sound waves towards the audience,” explains Elena Rossi, Building Engineer-Architect and Acoustic Designer at Studio Sound Service. “K-array’s products use line-array technology with a very narrow vertical dispersion, allowing us to effectively target the audio at the grandstand and overcome the acoustic challenges of the open space.”
Six slimline stainless steel Kobra-KK102 I units are installed near the perimeter walls of the hall, with two, slightly larger Python-KP52 I units recessed discreetly within the walls. Beneath the presentation screen, four Rumble-KU210 subwoofers support low-end frequencies whilst three units of K-array’s innovative two-metre-long Anakonda flexible loudspeakers are hidden in the steps up to the stage providing centre fill. “By fixing the Kobra and Python arrays to the perimeter walls we were able to keep aesthetic impact to a minimum,” explains Rossi.
The Gym at Bocconi University offers modern training facilities, including an elevated athletics running track, to both students and the general public. Here, the integration of a professional audio system was required to help power fitness and wellness activities. A total of 18 Kobra loudspeakers were installed on the ceiling, alongside four Thunder-KS1P I subwoofers. By angling the loudspeakers at the desired coverage areas, Studio Sound Services could ensure specific audio coverage of the main workout areas, such as the running track and free weights zone.
At the heart of Bocconi Sport Center is the pool and water sports zone, boasting an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 25-metre training pool and a 500-seat grandstand. To ensure maximum coverage of audio for spectators, a total of 50 GF82 column line array loudspeakers from K-array brand, KGEAR were positioned above the stands, fixed on the ceiling around the main pool and placed on the walls around the smaller pool. Utilising K-array’s innovative PAT array technology, the 8-inch-tall loudspeakers ensure maximum throw and dispersion in a discreet form factor with a durable IP54 rating. “The small arrays could be positioned directly on the grandstand steps and angled upwards to ensure consistent coverage across the spectator stands,” says Masci. “In the pool area, the ceiling loudspeakers were attached to the already finished barrisol ceiling, so the white colour finish was ideal.”
Throughout the sports centre, but in particular, in the gym and pool zones, avoiding large and potentially hazardous trussing was critical. K-array’s slim form-factor solutions and versatile installation options allowed Studio Sound Services to minimise potential risks. “We needed to avoid using large elements that stick out from the walls or ceiling as much as possible,” explains Rossi. “In these environments, it is common for balls and equipment to be thrown, so using K-array and KGEAR loudspeakers installed as closely to the walls as possible helps reduce the risk of impacts and damage to the products.”
Aside from the integration at Bocconi Sport Center, the on-site chapel also received a new audio system from K-array. Systems integrators, Number One, led the project, integrating four metre-long Kobra units, complemented by two half-metre Kobras, installed around the perimeter walls of the main worship area. Additionally, a further four half-metre Kobra loudspeakers support audio coverage on the balcony. Driving the system is a single eight-channel Kommander amplifier. Through the collaboration between Bocconi University, system integrators Studio Sound Service and the K-array solutions team, the sports centre project is a testament to the fusion of architecture, technology and practicality. “Working with Bocconi and the K-array team, we were able to identify the best products from both the point of view of integration and architectural design,” concludes Rossi. “The final result satisfies all of the client’s requests technically and visually, with sound diffusion and quality perfectly suited to the unique needs of each environment.”
