When St. Paul’s School opened its new Fleischner Family Admissions Center, the goal was to create a welcoming, immersive first impression for prospective students and their families.
At the heart of the space is a two-story great room with a large video wall, designed to showcase the school’s community and campus experience. But the same architectural features that make the space visually striking — including floor-to-ceiling glass — also created a significant audio challenge.
To solve that, the school worked with AV integrator MFi Pro and consultant R.G. Vanderweil Engineers to design a system that could deliver clear, consistent sound while reducing reflections in the space.
The team selected Renkus-Heinz ICONYX Gen5 IC8 loudspeakers, using beam-steering technology to direct sound precisely toward listeners instead of letting it reflect off glass and hard surfaces.
“We needed a solution that could address potential sound reflections from the glass while preserving the room’s aesthetic,” said Adam Godbout, Vice President and Project Manager at MFi Pro.
The speakers were installed on either side of the video wall and positioned to focus sound at listening height, helping ensure presentations are clear from the front of the room to the back.
Beyond audio performance, ease of use was also a priority. The system was designed so that staff, faculty and presenters can quickly connect their devices and run presentations without needing technical support.
After initial setup, the team used Renkus-Heinz’s RHAON II software to fine-tune coverage across the space, achieving consistent sound levels throughout the room.
Since opening, the system has become part of the school’s admissions experience, supporting video presentations and events that introduce visitors to life at St. Paul’s.
The result is a space that delivers both visually and acoustically, helping the school create a strong first impression while maintaining day-to-day usability.
