In the fall of 2018, Northern Kentucky University officially dedicated the new $105 million Health Innovation Center (HIC) at its campus in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The HIC is one of the largest comprehensive health professions buildings in the country and took three years to complete.
Radiant Technology was awarded the audio-visual equipment package, which included outfitting the 108,885-sq ft Founders Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, with new collaboration technology systems.
The Tech Decision
Radiant Technology is the term Audio-Visual contract holder for Northern Kentucky University and works as an extension of the NKU team delivering installation and integration for classrooms and specialty rooms in buildings across campus.
In 2016, the university engaged Radiant to do a proof of concept room. That room led to what NKU is describing as the classroom of the future and ended up being used as the classroom design for the Health Innovation Center.
The Health Innovation Center and Founders Hall Renovation projects were put out to bid in 2017.
Radiant Technology competed against several national and local integrators and ultimately won the project through the competitive bid process.
The scale of this project made it one of the largest Radiant Technology has tackled in its 18-year history.
Radiant’s expert team provided audio visual design, engineering, project management and installation across multiple phases and within numerous spaces of the Health Innovation Center and Founders Hall Renovation.
Each solution included all devices, equipment, installation, programming and commissioning. Each space is equipped with technology conducive to an interactive learning environment.
The Collaboration Technology System Solution
With a project of this scale and scope, regular coordination and communication was essential. Early engagement, regular meetings and constant coordination with all trades is a crucial part of the Radiant process.
Our team had to attend both construction meetings and NKU ITAV meetings because the initial project scope changed midway through the project. Radiant staff had to be agile and work within the new vision and direction of the project, while still working within the confines of the physical infrastructure of the space.
Radiant Technology assigned a Project Manager to oversee and direct all coordination activities concerning the installation.
The PM attended scheduled on-site project meetings and was responsible for keeping the project on its critical path. The PM supplied NKU with a project timeline and submitted meeting notes and project status reports.
Some of the challenges included the design of the building due to the extensive amount of glass used throughout. It caused complications with installation, aesthetics and audio tuning and display. With 35 different room types, changes to design and scope were cumbersome at times.
Live simulcasting was also a challenge and the ability to capture not only the video, but the audio presented some issues during commissioning.
Radiant Technology spent hours fine tuning the audio and video feeds to optimize the experience for the end user.
At the completion, programmers demonstrated the performance and capability to the NKU ITAV support team for their acceptance of the collaboration technology systems.
All test and measurement requirements were supplied.
Radiant Technology provided programming of hardware to meet system functionality. Any functionality not specifically mentioned in the Scope of Work resulted in Change Orders to the systems. This was a frequent challenge.
Finally, Radiant Technology delivered complete and comprehensive systems training to NKU ITAV personnel in the application and use of the collaboration technology systems to achieve optimum performance and utilization.
The Impact
Northern Kentucky University leadership is more than pleased with the final outcome of the Health Innovation Center and Founders Hall renovations. The technology investment of more than $5 million has made the HIC a world-class healthcare training facility.
It positions the university to attract the next generation of nurses, technicians, doctors and other medical professionals.
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It also fills a growing need to educate more medical workers in Kentucky. There was a void and the HIC ensures the university has the ability to serve the needs in the region.
The high-tech facilities such as the simulation labs immerse students in real-life situations and help to expand clinical experiences for students.
The HIC allowed NKU to form a vital partnership with St. Elizabeth Healthcare and the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine.
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