CASE STUDY

Growing Campus AV with a
State-of-the-Art Design-Build Solution

The Client

Recognized as a top 10 “up and coming” national university by U.S. News & World Report, Biola University provides intentional spiritual and vocational direction to its students, with a focus on academic innovation and quality. Founded in 1908, the southern California institution serves more than 6,000 students and ranks amongst the nation’s foremost Christian universities. Biola offers over 150 online, in-person and in-distance programs at the baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral levels.

The Challenge

Every year, Biola University grows exponentially. These expansions often result in a need for further campus development. In 2017, Biola recognized a need for a new building — the Lim Center for Science, Technology and Health — to accommodate their expanding curriculum and student body.

To meet the needs of students and instructors alike, the Lim Center needed a state-of-the-art audiovisual system that could be standardized and unified with the university’s existing system. Biola engaged Spinitar to do the design-build portion of the audiovisual system. During the initial discovery, Spinitar immediately identified infrastructure concerns that required field modifications and the reworking of a few spaces. Unfortunately, due to the building being largely completed when Spinitar was engaged, these field modifications would be required at an additional cost to Biola.

Biola University needed a best in class AV solution for the Lim Center, but also had to consider budget and timeline while evaluating technology, equipment, and design.

The Approach

Biola University had successfully collaborated with Spinitar on projects in the past and their existing relationship led them to trust Spinitar as a direct partner for this new project as well. After demonstrating the benefits of working directly with Spinitar (cost savings, direct lines of communication, and on-site project management for AV), Biola would go on to work directly with Spinitar for this project. Spinitar applied their knowledge and experience in the pre-planning stage to recognize and correct what would have been challenges or needed changes as the project moved along. Avoiding challenges at the outset and time consuming changes along the way, led to opportunities for updates to the project’s design that would ultimately lead to a better overall experience for instructors and students.

Spinitar built an optimal and functional plan. Budget for the project was determined prior to implementation to avoid surprise costs, and processes were streamlined with Spinitar overseeing the build. Spinitar attended weekly project status meetings for Biola and provided them with updates for consistent and transparent communication.

“Working with Spinitar’s team has been a positive experience. Their professionalism and ability to complete project objectives in a timely manner was beneficial—especially during the design-build process for the audiovisual technology in the Lim Center for Science, Technology, and Health.”

— Anthony Valentino, Director, Technical Support & Information Technology, Biola University

The Solution

Spinitar developed standards for all classroom AV in The Lim Center that would only be modified for specific use cases. They used Epson HD projectors, Crestron Digital Media and control systems, including Crestron amplifiers and speakers. All classrooms have a touch panel and a standard (customized for Biola) lectern that serves as a teaching location. In the Lim Science Center, the Dean specifically asked to reduce the number of lecterns so only a few rooms have lecterns and the remaining rooms have a small AV cart that is tucked away.

Types of Rooms Designed:

Classrooms
Training Rooms
Huddle Spaces
Conference Rooms

Laboratories
Collaboration Spaces
Nursing Simulation Rooms
Video-Enabled Anatomy Labs

Three main technologies were utilized for this project:

Nursing Simulation. Audio/Video and communication hardware and software allows professors and instructors to observe, record and manage audio and video during simulated interactive training experiences. Cameras, microphones, speakers and IVIS software assist with instructor/student engagement by providing two-way communication.

Standardized Control Systems. By having standardized touch panels to control AV equipment across campus, instructors have the confidence and expertise to utilize all of the technologies with ease.

Centralized Support Systems. A centralized management system was incorporated into the Lim Center AV system to allow for remote help desk support and analysis for all AV systems on campus. This minimizes the need for in-person support, which helps to prevent the campus from resource exhaustion.

The Impact

“Our Spinitar account manager, Carl Adams, consistently applies his industry knowledge at Biola to deliver a great experience to our employees and students. Thanks to Carl’s expertise, ingenuity, and reliable follow-through, we’ve been able to establish a great working relationship.”

— Anthony Valentino, Director, Technical Support & Information Technology, Biola University

Biola University’s Lim Center project with Spinitar was a true design-build. Biola’s choice of strategy to bring in Spinitar at the beginning helped them mitigate challenges and take advantage of opportunities for better AV experiences. Those better experiences lead to the adoption of innovative technology by faculty, staff and students that will elevate the campus-wide standard for learning.

By working directly with Spinitar, Biola was able to save approximately $150k in additional fees on what ended up being a $650k project. Through collaborative planning and effective project management, Biola’s Lim Science Center now has a best in class AV system that was obtained within their desired budget and timeline.

Upon the project’s completion, the overall educational curriculum at Biola was instantly enhanced thanks to Spinitar’s implementation of unified systems of audiovisual technology. Teachers now have the tools, resources and expertise to conduct better lectures, labs and meetings with ease. Students can use advanced, modern technology to learn and apply what they’re learning in real world circumstances. Additionally, students can more effectively collaborate and share information with each other and their instructors. Now, Biola University has an innovative, unified, standardized and reliable AV system in the Lim Center that powers effective learning techniques for their students and prepares them for today’s workforce.