TEKVOX Partners with PCS Telecom on AV Solutions for New Library Learning Center at Texas Southern University

Houston-based HBCU Texas Southern University (TSU) has opened its marquis Library Learning Center featuring the latest in innovative and collaborative teaching and learning spaces. TEKVOX designed and supplied state-of-the-art AV technology for the library partnering with PCS Telecom, which handled the installation and integration. Earlier this year, Tekvox and PCS Telecom teamed on the upgrade of the Earl Carl Courtroom at TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

The $43 million Library Learning Center has a distinctive angular design by Moody Nolan Architects. The 137,000sq.ft. structure will serve as an intellectual hub for the university and the community at large. A soaring five-story atrium is at the heart of the building; the entire structure encompasses classrooms, book stacks, computer labs, study areas, offices, meeting and boardrooms, and gallery space. It also houses TSU's faculty senate, Board of Regents IT department, and alumni suite and serves as an honors college.

"With its exciting new concepts of space utilization, the library required substantial innovation and adaptation in the delivery of its the audio and video infrastructure," says Tekvox CEO Jim Reinhart. "All of our technology was highly customized with the goal of making it easy to use and engaging."

Tekvox solutions are found throughout the library in a variety of different environments. The company provided matrix systems and multiple displays for The Collaboration Stair, a massive tiered open space in the center of the atrium designed for collaborative teacher-student experiences. Tekvox also furnished switching control, audio, and presentation systems for the workshop space built around the large Makerspace videowall.

The library's Gallery enables guests to mingle with art in an immersive open event space. Tekvox outfitted it with multiple displays for interactive presentations and a high-end audio system. For a more intimate look at guest-selected art, The Special Collections viewing area is supplied with large displays and intelligent display control and management.

Tekvox also equipped 37 network-managed collaborative study areas. The rooms feature identical intelligent display control and management systems, which allow the library to assign and manage spaces remotely.

In addition, Tekvox supplied three traditional faculty conference rooms in the library as well as a new meeting room for TSU's Board of Regents. The network-controlled boardroom is outfitted with an array of technologies, including digitally-networked mic systems, multiple HD displays, and a high-end audio system.

"Our RFQ had relatively few formal requirements other than to enable the library to do interesting things in many innovative spaces," notes Reinhart. "PCS Telecom was instrumental in maintaining daily interaction with the customer as we evolved and refined designs over time."

A Houston-based network cable design and installation company, PCS Telecom has deployed Tekvox solutions to meet the needs of an array of sophisticated AV clients. "Once again, it was a pleasure to act as technical partner with Tekvox on an exciting project at TSU," says Mark Lopez, operations manager with PCS Telecom. "Every space in the Library Learning Center was challenging, but together with Tekvox, we were able to deliver easy-to-use, cutting-edge technology ranging from multilayered audio to video distribution."