A commercial AV project designed around six independently managed audio zones, discreet ceiling and pendant speakers, Control4 system control, and a feature 400-point LED starlight ceiling with perimeter lighting.
This childcare environment brings together several spaces with very different requirements: active play areas, learning rooms, a welcoming foyer and a quieter cot room. A single uncontrolled sound system would not offer the flexibility needed across these areas, so BLUTEK’s documented solution divides commercial audio into six zones.
The proposed specification includes 24 Episode commercial in-ceiling speakers across the foyer, learning rooms and cot room, plus six black Episode commercial pendant speakers for the playground. An Episode eight-zone business music amplifier and Control4 CORE 3 controller provide the specified amplification and central control foundation.
The proposal also includes a feature ceiling with 400 LED star points and perimeter lighting. Supplied project photography shows how the ceiling and discreet equipment relate to the centre’s interior design. The precise as-built equipment and commissioning details should be confirmed against the final handover records.
BLUTEK’s documented design divides this childcare facility into six independently addressed listening areas rather than treating the centre as a single loudspeaker zone. The speaker selection reflects different room conditions: discreet in-ceiling models for indoor spaces and commercial 70V pendant speakers for the more open playground.
The proposed audio signal path combines commercial 25/70V and 70V speakers with an eight-zone business music amplifier and Control4 CORE 3 control. The specification also includes appropriate speaker cabling, installation and programming. This architecture supports more deliberate sound zoning and operational flexibility, subject to the final configured source inputs and user controls.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Childcare spaces are dynamic. A foyer creates the first impression, learning rooms host different activities, play areas need broad sound coverage, and a cot room benefits from a more carefully managed audio environment. Rather than applying one generic speaker design throughout, this project was scoped as a flexible six-zone system.
The aim of the documented solution is to support separate area-level audio management, appropriate speaker positioning and a simplified control platform, while keeping the equipment visually discreet within the fitout.
SIX DEDICATED AUDIO ZONES
The proposal allocates 30 commercial speakers across six separately described zones. Most internal spaces use flush-mount 8-inch Episode ceiling speakers, while the playground uses pendant models selected for an exposed-ceiling environment.
Episode 200 Series 8-inch in-ceiling speakers establish commercial audio coverage in the arrival and reception area.
Three separate rooms are each specified with six Episode 200 Series ceiling speakers, enabling zone-based system planning.
Black Episode 800 Series 6-inch 70V pendant speakers are specified to suspend from the taller, exposed ceiling above the indoor play area.
A pair of Episode 200 Series in-ceiling speakers supports a separately specified audio zone for the quieter room.
COMMERCIAL AUDIO EQUIPMENT
The selected speakers use commercial line-voltage distribution formats suited to multi-speaker environments. In the proposal, 24 Episode ECS-200-IC-8 8-inch speakers are specified for the internal rooms, complemented by six ECS-800-PND6-BLK 6-inch pendant speakers above the playground.
These zones are paired with an Episode Business Music eight-zone amplifier (EA-AMP-HYB-2D-1000) and a Control4 CORE 3 (C4-CORE3). This combination creates a foundation for coordinated playback and zone-level control where the selected equipment and programming allow it.
Flush-mount ceiling speakers are designed to blend into the finished ceiling. In the playground, black pendant speakers suit the exposed dark ceiling while distributing audio across a larger area.
The exact loudspeaker model and mounting arrangement should be checked against the installed system if the project is presented as a final as-built case study.
FEATURE LIGHTING
Beyond sound, the project includes a 400-point LED star drop ceiling with LED perimeter lighting. The supplied images show a darker ceiling feature, individual star points and warm perimeter illumination, creating a different atmosphere within the surrounding light commercial interior.
The proposal identifies the lighting feature as a separate aesthetics scope. Ceiling setting, sanding and painting were assigned to other trades, and the document does not specify a named manufacturer or fibre-optic/LED controller model. The page therefore describes the ceiling design without attributing unsupported product brands or effects.
The strongest feature ceilings complement their surroundings. Here the starlight effect sits alongside conventional lighting, air outlets and other services, demonstrating why early coordination between AV, lighting and building trades matters.
CONTROL & COMMISSIONING
The proposed control hardware is a Control4 CORE 3 controller, alongside commercial audio amplification and 16-gauge four-conductor Wirepath speaker cabling (NST-164-500-BLK). The specification lists installation of 15 speaker pairs, corresponding to the 30-speaker schedule, plus programming.
BLUTEK’s role is to coordinate equipment supply, cabling routes, speaker placement, system installation, configuration and handover within the agreed scope. Suitable sound levels, user permissions and operation for staff should be established during commissioning, not assumed from the product list alone.
PROJECT PRODUCTS
The following equipment is taken from the supplied proposal. Exact manufacturers, models and the documented quantities will also be retained for BLUTEK’s future product catalogue planning.
200 Series commercial 8-inch in-ceiling speaker, 25/70V · 24 units specified.
800 Series commercial 6-inch 70V pendant speaker, black · 6 units specified.
Business Music Solution 8-zone line-voltage amplifier · 1 unit specified.
CORE 3 automation controller · 1 unit specified.
16 AWG four-conductor speaker cable, 500 ft / 152 m · 1 box specified.
400 star points with perimeter LED lighting · 1 feature ceiling specified; component manufacturer not identified.
BLUTEK’S COMMERCIAL APPROACH
Commercial AV works best when the design reflects the way people move through and use a building. This project brings the requirements of six different audio zones together with a central control platform and a distinctive lighting feature.
The broader lesson for childcare, education, hospitality and other commercial settings is the value of thoughtful zoning, appropriate equipment selection and coordinating technology with the interior architecture and daily operations. Equipment quantities shown here reflect the supplied proposal; final installation details remain subject to as-built verification.
Blutek designs and delivers commercial audio, automation and integrated technology systems tailored to the way each space is used.
