Bringing modern solutions and innovative technology to traditional aesthetics at Glengoyne Distillery
Glengoyne Distillery, nestled on the outskirts of Glasgow, is a renowned producer of premium whisky and spirits in the heart of Scotland. Amongst the standout features are the immersive experiences delivered through guided whisky tours, set against the picturesque backdrop of the local hills and glens.
The team at the distillery approached us through our showcase campaigns on social media, seeking to upgrade their visual and connective system in order to blend with the traditional, sleek setting of their visitor experience centre.
Glengoyne had an existing visual system for presenting videos and information during tours within their comfortable relaxation area. However, the system was outdated and was frequently disrupted by display issues. It was time for a sleek, modern upgrade that seamlessly integrates with the room’s aesthetic and is user-friendly for onsite employees. Our task was clear: to enhance the guest experience through innovative technology solutions that did not distract from the tours and the traditional setting of the room.
Working closely with the distillery’s team, we replaced the outdated screens with two commercial-grade 65” Samsung screens – blending into the space with architecturally trimmed white frames. These screens, resembling framed pictures, elevated the room’s ambience while delivering superior video quality.
To streamline operations, we installed a Brightsign Unit – a commercial signage media player – for easy content management and playback. This dedicated unit eliminated the need for cumbersome laptop connections, allowing employees to access and upload content effortlessly from anywhere within the network. Additionally, we connected a Bluetooth system for direct input from users’ mobile devices into a pre-existing audio setup – ensuring a smooth sound experience.
What sets this project apart is the discreet yet powerful and innovative technologies that are woven into the space. While the setup may appear minimalist, its functionality and connectivity offer truly immersive experiences for guests.
After installation, our team trained the onsite employees at Glengoyne on the new systems’ capabilities. Through these comprehensive sessions, we ensured that the client was fully equipped to maximise the potential of combined solutions.
Following the successful integration, we maintain regular communication with Glengoyne’s team, providing ongoing support and assistance with maintenance as needed. Our collaboration with the distillery was a testament to our commitment to bringing modernity to the most traditional spaces. Our team thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and we cannot wait to get started on similar projects.
Get in touch to find out how you can generate immersive experiences by implementing integrated technology solutions, and cerate the ultimate visitor experience.
An elegant audio visual solution to reflect the luxury lifestyle ethos of this ultra-heritage brand.
In 2015 a French fashion house began an extensive renovation of the iconic Time Life building, London. We worked their operational management team, designers, and contractors to create a comprehensive audio visual solution for their flagship UK store.
The interior design was to capture the spirit of this signature French brand throughout the use of all-natural materials down to terracotta mosaic floor featuring their logo. We worked across the brand’s operational management team, designers and contractors to create a complete audio visual solution to complement and enhance their brand essence.
Bose® Pro ceiling speakers were chosen for their premium audio and unobtrusive design in the luxury retail space. iPads provide full access to audio settings, enabling adjustments within departments or modifications to showcase a new display.
Digital signage screens were installed behind mirrored panels and then effortlessly integrated into the store’s high-end fixtures. This enables marketing content, such as runway footage either scheduled in-store or uploaded direct from their Parisian head office to provide unparalleled brand continuity.
In-store events were an integral part of the vision for the new retail space. The audio volume and tone had to be universally controllable by the management team, and offer precise sounds at all times; therefore, a sophisticated audio solution was vital.
The team worked to curate classical sounds to work with the variant use of space with tones which could easily accompany the clink of champagne saucers, or simply minimise the tête-à-tête of background conversation during special events. Moreover, the pro audio installation selected had to maintain the prestige of this retail setting.
We have supplied premium audio visual quality, flexible enough to negotiate the demands of a beautiful interior space, whilst providing scalability for hosting in-store events. Aesthetically and operationally, the audio visual installation has enabled the haute couture brand to elevate their flagship investment to full effect.
By collaborating closely with the site’s operations team, we provided an integrated solution to seamlessly enhance the elegance of the brand.
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For the last few years, we have been delivering a variety of lighting, access control, visual, and audio solutions across a variety of retail setups. From flagships and boutiques to multi-site stores, we create innovative, seamless spaces that control foot flow and create unforgettable consumer experiences.
Being centrally based and on a large scale, the vision for this store was to draw focus to the journey customers would experience from the moment they walk in through the door. Community participation and presence within the store was great motivation for the store’s location, therefore having the professional tech to deliver was a must.
Having previously worked with the client, this store was the first in a brand-new experiential shopping concept within the brand portfolio. We delivered a variety of technologies recently throughout a flagship store, from audio solutions, to centralised control, and acoustic treatments. The space lends itself now not only as a clothing store but also as a space for people to meet to have coffee, take pictures, share content on social media, be pampered, and attend DJ-led events.
The store facilitates an expansive layout, hosting multiple departments, and comprises three floors: the men’s department in the basement; ladies’ wear on the ground floor; and ladies, kid’s wear, and makeup bar on the first. Each of the floors has ‘zones’ that host certain products or that project vibes more suited towards the consumer shopping within that specific area. We also delivered speakers and Bluetooth connectivity in the staff-only areas, allowing the store employees to not only sync their devices and play music, but lending the space to extend out to hosting community events.
To make sure that the store was getting the best quality audio solutions for the correct levels permitted throughout the space, we used the same speaker – SONANCE Cabinet – throughout each of the zones – maintaining the same high quality and ambient levels. These speakers are high-grade and can often be found in commercial ranges, high-end brands, and cinema setups. Having worked with them prior to this project, our in-house technicians knew that they would be the perfect fit for this space. To customise them to fit perfectly, our team painted the speakers to match the exact colour palette of each of the departments and zones – blending them seamlessly. For example, in the men’s department, the aesthetic is traditionally darker and more masculine, the speakers were painted a darker Pantone to suit this. Each of these speakers is positioned uniquely and mounted individually to get the ideal sound.
The store managers centrally control the zones via an iPad, through which we ran our custom software and app. Playlists, sound levels, and audio patterns have been automatically programmed, however, managers are able to manually set the levels in each of the zones if there are events running. The automated sequences have been programmed to detect the current ambience of the store and run output audio that will reflect this. For example, if it is busier, the music will play slightly louder and upbeat.
The design of this space was a unique concept for us and a new opportunity to design a custom setup. Each floor was different to the next, resulting in certain areas requiring more coverage, speakers, balancing, and calibration to work alongside the other speakers in that area. At Hutchison Technologies we always make sure that a project is delivered perfectly and exactly to the client specification. We spent more time on site with this project to make sure of exactly that, manually checking that each speaker installed was perfectly Equalized to the exact spec. The sound needed to match the aesthetic of the store and focus on the experiential perspective the client was visioning. Our team reflected on the walk-through of a customer’s experience whilst on the shop floor, tweaking each zone to shift slightly on a subconscious level. For example, the audio was to be lower and softer in the kid’s section, whereas if there was an area which had party dresses and clothes, it was to be livelier.
The biggest challenge our team faced during this project was the size of the store and the existing ceiling obstacles. We had to consider fully the placement of the speakers in order to allow them to work efficiently, avoiding distortion, and making sure there were no dead zones. When conducting our walk-throughs, we had to readjust or move certain speakers to get that perfect flow. Our team worked effortlessly around lighting boxes and escalators, to ensure they were safely installed, accessible, and hidden from customers.
We continue to be the brand’s sole AV provider and we are continuing to work on various other locations. We look forward to seeing what new solutions and innovative technologies we will bring to their next setup.
