THE
NEW SLOATE MEDIA CENTER TO OPEN IN JANUARY
New
York, N.Y., December 12, 2001— The new
Sloate Media Center will open in January 2002
for the spring semester. Replacing a media classroom
and control booth built in 1959, the new Sloate
Media Center will serve as the primary media
hub and technology education facility for the
college.
Located
in Wollman Library on the third floor, the center
is an intimate yet functional space, outfitted
with the latest cutting-edge technology for
a multimedia educational experience. The center
consists of a classroom setting for up to 35
students, a presentation and podium area, a
studio and a control room to manage the space’s
multimedia capabilities.
Elizabeth S. Boylan, Provost and Dean of Faculty,
said, "We are very pleased to announce
the completion of the Sloate Media Center. It
will provide a state-of-the-art, multipurpose
learning and research facility and an unprecedented
level of access to media resources for our faculty
and students."
The Sloate Media Center is named after Trustee
Laura J. Sloate ’66, who donated $725,000
for the renovation and technological reformatting
of the classroom. Sloate’s gift is the
largest single campaign contribution dedicated
specifically to the area of information technology.
The Center was designed by Kapell and Kostow
Architects, P.C. (KKA), which specializes in
technologically advanced broadcast and media
facilities. Students walk into the studio through
a corridor that expands with warm, inviting
plum-colored walls. Touches of subtle color
around the studio and classroom area complement
the bold colors around the window niche. A dark
carpet of blues, greens and plums balances the
room’s lighting, which creates a pleasing
environment.
The classroom area incorporates ambient lighting
controlled by dimmers and separate switches
into the lighting demands of the classroom and
media-oriented situations, including recess
lighting for interviews and a no-glare effect
for multimedia presentations.
Among other equipment, the control room and
studio are equipped with two Avid Xpress systems
for video editing, a Sonic Systems DVD system,
Sony video monitors and Videotek signal monitoring
equipment, to ensure the highest level of video
capabilities. Sony, Shure, Audio Technia and
Crown wired and wireless microphones are installed
for all public addressing needs, in a variety
of locations, some of which are visible and
some of which are concealed. A range of audio
monitoring, mixing and recording equipment,
including a Mackie 16-channel master audio mixer,
Roland MA12 self-powered speakers, JBL three-way
studio monitors, Crown stereo amplifiers and
Tannoy subwoofers enhance the audio capabilities
of the studio and the classroom.
"The Center’s comprehensive digital-editing
suite adjoining a classroom/studio space creates
a unique facility," says Carol Falcione,
Barnard’s Dean of Library and Academic
Information. "There is no other configuration
like it on the Barnard or Columbia campus."
The center is designed to combine technological
capabilities with the practical functions of
the classroom. For example, subtle architectural
statements, warm materials and theatrical lighting
balance the two Sony DVCAM camcorder tripods
that record all studio projects. The presentation
and podium area of the classroom has a ‘floating’
architectural element which is designed as a
wood cabinet outfitted to store the podium and
its state-of-the-art Crestron touch-screen control
center.
The existing windows remain in the studio, flooding
the room with natural light. To allow for media
presentations, a shutter panel system with blackout
shades was designed and discreetly installed
behind tackable acoustical panels. This system
is both functional and attractive, creating
a distinct layering effect that adds texture
to the room.
The opposite wall mimics that layered effect
with vertical wide plank wood siding, staggered
one on top of the other, continuing the rhythm
generated on the entrance hall side. Painted
floor to ceiling, this wall adds acoustic attributes
as well giving the room a somewhat artistic
feel.
For
more information, contact Kapell and Kostow
Architects, PC or Barnard College at:
Jane Greenwood
Kapell and Kostow Architects, P.C.
Phone: 212-334-0116
jane@kapellandkoskow.com
Trish Johnson or Stephanie Biagioli
D. Pagan Communications, Inc.
Phone: 631-659-2309
Email: trishj@dpagan.com, stephanieb@dpagan.com
Petra
Tuomi
Associate Director of Public Affairs
Barnard College
(212) 854-7907
ptuomi@barnard.edu
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