The Hiwa Recreation Centre at the University of Auckland is a remarkable example of thoughtful AV design, creating a harmonious and immersive experience across its diverse range of spaces. When it opened in 2025, the centre was envisioned as a hub for student life, offering a unique blend of recreational and wellness facilities. From aquatics to sports halls, fitness studios to rooftop turf, each area presents its own acoustic challenges.
One of the key challenges was to create a unified audio experience across these diverse environments. The solution? A distributed, venue-wide audio system tailored to each space's unique needs.
Designing for Extremes
At the core of this system is a Dante-distributed network, allowing efficient audio routing across multiple floors and zones. This network is supported by Crown DCi amplifiers, designed for continuous, high-demand operation. By distributing infrastructure across multiple equipment racks, the installation process was streamlined, and ongoing system management was simplified.
The system was designed to deliver a consistent experience across a wide range of conditions, from high-energy music-driven studios to acoustically challenging aquatic halls and outdoor areas. Each space required a bespoke solution, but with a unified philosophy.
JBL Loudspeakers: Tailored Solutions
JBL loudspeakers were deployed across Hiwa in various formats to suit these conditions. Paul Edlin, Audio Designer and Sales Director at JPRO, reflects on the system's performance: "Hiwa has performed exactly as intended. The acoustic design and simulation tools provided an accurate real-life result."
High-output systems with subwoofer support power the fitness and dance studios, while column arrays and distributed speakers provide even coverage in large sports halls. Paul notes, "The consistency of voicing across JBL models ensures a coherent sound signature as users move through the building, which is often overlooked but makes a noticeable difference."
In more challenging areas like the aquatic hall and outdoor zones, JBL's AWC82 and CBT Series loudspeakers were chosen for their ability to handle humidity, corrosion, and temperature variations without compromising sound quality. Paul adds, "The Constant Beamwidth Technology in the column arrays provides beautiful, even coverage across the pool area."
Takeaways for Multi-Zone Installations
For Paul and the JPRO team, Hiwa reinforces the importance of deliberate loudspeaker selection in large multi-zone facilities. "JBL sets the benchmark with speakers built for specific purposes. We could pick the right model for each space, whether compact speakers for aesthetics, column arrays for coverage control, or weather-rated systems for durability."
Hiwa stands as a testament to the value of treating audio as core infrastructure, prioritizing consistency, flexibility, and long-term performance. As similar facilities become more common, Hiwa offers a valuable reference point for technology deployment and system design.
In my opinion, the Hiwa project showcases the art of creating a seamless audio experience in complex environments. It's a fascinating example of how technology can enhance our recreational and wellness spaces, and I believe it sets a new standard for AV design in multi-use facilities.
