D​​unbar

Access AV was commissioned by Dunbar Parish Church to deliver a phased transformation of the church halls. The aim was to create a modern and flexible venue capable of supporting community events, performances, presentations, children’s activities, worship gatherings and social functions.

The project combined theatrical infrastructure, architectural lighting, professional audio and large-format projection. As a result, the hall can now support a wide range of activities while retaining the character of the historic building.

Working closely with the church team, Access AV designed and delivered a complete solution. This included a Doughty theatre track system, bespoke stage tabs, DMX-controlled RGB lighting, professional JBL audio, Allen & Heath digital signal processing, wireless microphone systems and high-brightness Epson laser projection.

A key objective was to provide professional performance capabilities while keeping operation simple and intuitive for volunteers and occasional users. To achieve this, carefully designed control interfaces and pre-programmed operating modes were implemented. Consequently, users of all experience levels can operate the system with confidence.

The result is a highly flexible community venue that can adapt to a wide variety of activities. It delivers excellent audio quality, impactful visual presentation and dynamic lighting effects. Furthermore, the new infrastructure provides a strong platform for future expansion as the venue’s requirements evolve.

 

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Design & Installation Challenges

Dunbar Parish Church Halls presented several unique installation challenges. The architectural design of the hall features a curved lath-and-plaster ceiling and historic masonry walls. As a result, a bespoke mounting solution was required for the new theatre curtain and lighting infrastructure.

To safely support the Doughty theatre track system, our engineers developed a custom fixing method. Chemically bonded threaded rod was anchored directly into the brickwork behind the plaster finish. In addition, bespoke 3D-printed wedges were designed and manufactured to compensate for the curved wall profile. This created a level mounting surface for structural plywood backing pads and Unistrut support brackets.

The project was delivered alongside other contractors during an ongoing refurbishment programme. Therefore, careful coordination and phased installation were essential throughout the works. Much of the initial infrastructure installation took place during the winter months before the building heating systems were commissioned. Consequently, the team worked in particularly challenging conditions.

To maintain the clean appearance of the hall, we selected a Doughty rail system that allowed power and control cabling to be concealed within the track infrastructure. This approach also enabled the architectural lighting fixtures to be mounted directly above the curtain line. The result is an elegant and discreet installation that preserves the character of the space.

The completed system integrates seamlessly with the building architecture while providing professional theatre-style functionality. Furthermore, the installation has been designed to deliver reliable operation, straightforward maintenance and long-term flexibility for future venue requirements.

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Outcome

The completed installation has transformed Dunbar Parish Church Halls into a highly flexible multi-purpose venue capable of supporting community events, performances, presentations, meetings and worship activities.

By combining professional projection, high-quality audio reinforcement, architectural lighting and theatre infrastructure, the hall can now be adapted quickly to suit a wide range of uses. Furthermore, the intuitive control systems allow volunteers and staff to operate the technology with confidence. Pre-programmed lighting scenes also provide instant access to different room environments at the touch of a button.

The integration of theatre tabs, architectural lighting and projection has enhanced both the functionality and visual impact of the space. As a result, the hall now offers a modern performance environment while continuing to respect the character of the historic building.

This project demonstrates Access AV’s ability to combine AV technology, theatre infrastructure and architectural lighting into a single integrated solution. Through careful engineering and bespoke installation methods, we delivered a professional venue that will serve the church and wider community for many years to come.

The completed venue provides a future-proof platform for community engagement, performances, worship and events, ensuring Dunbar Parish Church Halls can continue to serve the local community for many years to come.