Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers and consultants. Founded in 1946 with an initial focus on structural engineering, Arup first came to the world’s attention with the structural design of the Sydney Opera House, followed by its work on the Centre Pompidou in Paris. With 90 offices in 38 countries, Arup has grown into a truly multidisciplinary organization. The Chicago office recently expanded its offering of services from SMEP (structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering) to now include Acoustics, Audiovisual, and Smart Building Technology consulting services. One of Arup’s unique design tools is the SoundLab, an immersive listening environment that provides the ability to listen to both existing and proposed spaces in 3D. Using acoustical signatures to generate direct comparisons of different design situations, SoundLab takes the guesswork out of sound quality via aural previews of everything from concert halls and city streets to museums and classrooms.
THE CHALLENGE
In order to enhance the capabilities and flexibility of the Arup SoundLab Arup Chicago needed to raise the bar on its already groundbreaking SoundLab technology. The SoundLab is a highly calibrated environment and is inclusive in the firm’s ISO 9001 certification. The audio system required a DSP unit that has the ability to handle multiple levels of tuning for each of the 13 loudspeakers. In addition to the multiple layers of signal processing for each loudspeaker, the Chicago SoundLab also required echo cancellation for video conferencing and additional analog and digital system inputs/ outputs for conferencing and future expansion. Flexibility for analog and digital audio input/ output was also a key component of the project so the Arup team could easily assess audio products under consideration.
SYSTEM SPECIFICS
Components: Components: Tesira: 1 SERVER-IO; NetGear® AVB Switch Arup Chicago, and other SoundLab facilities, have been using Biamp products for years. The previous installations used multiple AudiaFLEX frames linked by CobraNet®. This Tesira installation provided Arup with the ability to have all their DSP needs in one single unit, and all accessible in Biamp’s intuitive GUI interface. The Tesira unit gave Arup the ability to easily expand the system for additional input/output devices, as well as having spare channels for future expansion.
THE SOLUTION
The Chicago SoundLab upgraded their technology at the exact time the Tesira was ready to ship, making this the first Tesira installation in the world. The Tesira family of products provided the multiple channels of signal processing required without straining the DSP processors. It offered the ability to easily accommodate both analog and digital signals with the selection of I/O cards, specifically for Audio Video Bridging (AVB). Beyond just the SoundLab, the Tesira SERVER-IO also offered scalability for future office expansion and upgrades within the same chassis.
Using the Tesira SERVER-IO is an excellent way to have a single and centralized DSP unit that can accommodate a large quantity of both analog and digital inputs and outputs within a single chassis. By adding Tesira to their existing AV system, Arup Chicago simplified their access to the system architecture by only having to interface with a single configuration frame.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
