UNICOL’s Summit Range Elevates National Trust AV Upgrade

Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge in Suffolk, England, is a site of profound archaeological importance, overseen by the National Trust. Site excavations unveiled an undisturbed Anglo-Saxon ship burial from the early 7th century, offering insights into life in early medieval England. Today, visitors can explore the Royal Burial Ground, view replicas of the excavated artefacts, and tour Tranmer House. The site provides a deep dive into Anglo-Saxon history and culture, with exhibitions and guided tours enhancing the experience.

When the museum team decided to upgrade their ageing AV equipment, they sought a solution to enhance visitor engagement while respecting the integrity of the historic space. The project aimed to replace two projectors with a modern, high-quality display to improve visibility and visitor experience.

"Our project was to replace two projectors within a historic building used as a museum space. The projectors were coming towards the end of their lives. Rather than just a straightforward replacement, we took the time to review the room's layout and how visitors interacted with the space so we could make sure the money invested in new equipment would be of the greatest benefit.” - Josh Ward, Senior Visitor Experience Officer, National Trust, Sutton Hoo

Project Brief & Details

The National Trust team at Sutton Hoo, in collaboration with AV reseller TM Services, embarked on a project to replace outdated projectors with a high-quality digital display. The goal was to improve image quality and enhance the visitor experience by optimising light levels, space utilisation, and accessibility of AV equipment.

Ward explains that by “working with TM Services, who look after our AV equipment, we quickly identified that a large screen would be the way to go. It would mean light levels in the room could be improved, the historic images shown on the screen would be better quality, visitor flow would be improved, and it would also open up more space.”

To work on the best solution for the environment, TM Services got in touch with UNICOL to discuss options. In order to meet the specific requirements of the heritage site, UNICOL offered the following:

Summit All-In-One Mounting Solution (SUM8BD)
• Supports a Single 86" Screen - large enough to meet the needs of the museum.
• Bolt Down Base - offering a small installation footprint.
• Aesthetically Pleasing Design – offering a variety of easy-to-service features.

Having worked together for many years, Mark Jacklin, Managing Director at TM Services, chose to work with UNICOL because “UNICOL’s track record of build quality and reliability gave us the confidence that investing in the Summit would speak for itself. The Summit met all our objectives of fitting into the space without compromising the structure of the building, sturdy enough to be knocked into by visitors without any issue and protecting the control equipment in an easily accessible safe space.”

As a part of the project, TM Services also introduced;
• Kramer Control - enabling the new screens to be controlled via an existing control panel.
• Brightsign Media Players - for seamless control with media playback.

The installation was designed to integrate seamlessly within the historic setting and their existing AV installations, ensuring minimal impact on the building’s delicate features while offering a robust and future-proof AV display.

Project Challenges

Project Outcome

UNICOL’s large-screen, all-in-one Summit range has helped to overcome the challenges of the project and in turn, has helped AV have a transformative effect on the museum space at Sutton Hoo.

Jacklin goes into details, discussing that “the Summit met all our objectives of fitting into the space without compromising the structure of the building, sturdy enough to be knocked into by visitors without any issue and protecting the control equipment in an easily accessible safe space. The ability to lock the cabinet and secure it from prying fingers at the same time as providing easy access for maintenance is a big advantage over timber-based solutions that usually involve screwed shut or heavy panels that need to be removed for access.

The new display has:
• Improved image quality, enhancing the clarity of historic visuals presented to visitors.
• Allowed for better lighting conditions, creating a more immersive and engaging environment.
• Optimised visitor flow, freeing up valuable space previously occupied by the projectors.
• Preserved the historical setting, ensuring no damage to the original teak panelling or ceiling.
• Provided a sleek, robust, and secure housing solution for the AV equipment, with easy access for ongoing maintenance.

Ward explains that this project “[...] ticked all these boxes - the floor space required was not much larger than the screen itself; this kept fixing holes to a minimum whilst also providing a sturdy, safe frame and meant nothing needed to be fixed to the panelling. The unit has plenty of space to house all the required equipment, and access is easy thanks to many doors and hinged compartments. It’s also a nice, simple, clean-looking design that wouldn’t look out of place."

Visitors, volunteers, and staff have all praised the new display for its clarity, usability, and aesthetic integration into the museum space. By carefully selecting the right AV solutions and installation approach, Sutton Hoo has successfully modernised its visitor experience while staying true to its historical roots.

Conclusion

The National Trust at Sutton Hoo has successfully upgraded its AV capabilities while preserving the historic integrity of the museum space. The Summit mounting solution and 86" display have provided a future-proofed, visually impactful, and visitor-friendly enhancement to the site. This project is a prime example of how modern technology can be thoughtfully integrated into heritage environments to improve storytelling and engagement.

Looking for something similar or need some help with your next AV upgrade? Get in touch with TM Services;
Tel: 01473 375180 / Email: [email protected] / Website: tm-services.co.uk