qualia
Situated on the northern most point of Hamilton Island overlooking the peaceful straits of the Whitsunday Islands, the private and exclusive qualia resort is the result of combined imaginations of the Oatley family into reality by the hand picked award winning local architect, Chris Beckingham, whose use of local materials such as artisan woodwork and local stone is inspiring.
Guests enter qualia through imposing private entry gates which open to two restaurant venues and a day spa serving 60 private, two person pavilion. Guests at qualia are transported privately to the resort and separately from the other resort arrivals, to the central reception for exclusive check in that is located centrally on top of the ridge in the Main Restaurant and Library Pavilion – The Long Pavilion.
Having worked on previous high profile audio visual projects on Hamilton Island, DAVD Consulting Engineers, with offices in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, were chosen in conjunction with the engineers from Hamilton Island Enterprises to consult, design and project manage the entire communications, IT, entertainment and audio visual package for this outstanding private enclave.
DAVD were commissioned for the following services:
Selection and instigation of the Saflok/Vintech Integrated Proximity card access system for the main entry/ exit, all common security doors as well as the entry doors to each pavillion (now being incorporated throughout the remainder of the Hamilton Island Resort).
Selection and instigation of the Ezestream digital movies on demand system for the whole of the Hamilton Island resort and including the provision of the IPTV system for qualia
Design and implementation of the user friendly multiroom audio visual and control systems for the villas, with a major emphasis on discreet components hidden in custom architecturally designed cabinetry.
Design and implementation of commercial audio visual and control systems for each of the three commercial pavilions with a variety of Bose speakers implemented throughout.
Design and implementation of all of the intercom systems, digital closed circuit television and hard drive recording and monitored alarm security, background music and entertainment systems throughout.
DAVD project management of three individual AV contracting companies to complete the villas, as well as the commercial precincts.
The Long Pavilion is the exclusive fine dining destination for guests of qualia and features a climate-controlled infinity edge pool with stunning views of the Coral Sea.
The resort library and guest reception are also located here.
A variety of Bose speakers, chosen for their range of low profile types, dynamic audio range, audio quality and professional environmental models for harsh applications were presented to the architect for approval and feature heavily throughout all three common pavilions plus the two pools and adjacent environs.
Incorporated into the custom joinery for the library is a 152cm Samsung television and specialty bracketry to allow it to be completely hidden away behind the superb timber joinery when not in use by guests.
Each pavilion is fitted with the latest closed circuit television cameras which are digitally recorded on hard drive recorders that are then password accessible on the resort’s secure fibre optic network and this security is supplemented by monitored security alarm systems over the communications network at a central control.
Spa qualia, with six deluxe treatment rooms, is situated at the centre of the resort to catch the soft sea breeze and take in the tranquil views of the Whitsundays. Bose speaker systems throughout each treatment room plus all common areas present a centrally controlled choice of music from a digital music bank.
DAVD were called upon to project manage a specialty music genre consultant to develop the music programs offered to guests of Spa qualia.
Full CCTV monitoring is again supplemented by monitored security alarms and in addition a nurse call system provides call facilities back to the spa reception.
The Pebble Beach Pavilion and climate-controlled infinity edge pool offers both lunchtime fine dining and day long cocktails with poolside service on call. This pavilion also houses the state-of-the-art gymnasium and exercise deck.
Each area is fitted with Bose audio systems, CCTV and alarm security plus waiter call points as well as pool emergency audio call points.
With 60 Villas, all within close range of each other, and incorporating fibre optic fed services and wireless internet access to each villa – the wireless RTI audio visual control system, chosen by DAVD for its discreet room codes, was an essential choice.
Services provided within the villas include STD/ISD telephone, broadband Internet access, iPod dock, and CD and DVD player and flat-screen Sony TV with complimentary movies on demand.
As the RTI system utilises RF technology, control of the televisions and media content that are offset in the rooms to preserve the splendid views, as well as multiroom audio, fully enclosed remotely in timber cabinetry, could both be controlled without the guest needing to point the remote control at any particular source.
The selection of the RTI system ensured that the programming code was identical for the villas but that a single parameter change guaranteed no interference between villas. This also helps with maintenance staff in regards to changing over a part if it is faulty.
Secret button sequences were commissioned so that maid staff could reset the audio visual back to room defaults (including bass, treble, source and channel defaults etc) ready for each new guest. Other sequences included a turn down mode that included piped music through out the villa.
Discretely controlled equipment was selected throughout so that with a single button push on the remote, the guest always achieved their required result. This has worked perfectly, providing a simple solution to multiple incoming new operators (guests) without the need for operational training or explanation.
In the premium apartments, Krix speakers were designed into custom timber cabinetry with architecturally sourced, acoustically transparent material to completely camouflage all equipment from view.
Equipments used throughout the villas: RTI T1 handheld controls, gateways and control systems; Amber Technology provided both NUVO Simplese Gen D multi zone processors and amplifiers; Sonance ceiling speakers throughout the Villas; Sony televisions were chosen in conjunction with the architect for performance and style.
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