With an assist from Haverford Systems, URBN, a company with a portfolio of global consumer brands known for having their finger on the pulse of both fashion and lifestyle trends, is rewriting the definition of a modern corporate campus.
URBN — the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and newly launched Nuuly — is headquartered at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. One of its standout spaces there is the creatively named Acid Bath Lecture Hall, a raw industrial setting now wired with some of the most sophisticated audiovisual technology available today, thanks to the work of Haverford Systems.
The hall retains many of its original architectural elements: exposed brick, structural steel, and oversized windows that hint at the building’s past as part of a bustling shipbuilding facility. While the design honors the site’s industrial heritage, the function is pure 21st century — a professional, high-performance environment for corporate meetings, events, and presentations.
To bring this unique space into the digital age, URBN partnered with Haverford Systems, the region’s most experienced company to turn to for audiovisual installations. The two already had a longstanding working relationship, and the Acid Bath project presented a challenge that Haverford was uniquely qualified to take on.
Here’s a breakdown of the A/V solutions Haverford Systems provided URBN:
- Video Conferencing: The setup includes a Logitech Zoom Base Kit, enabling the lecture hall to function as a certified Zoom Room. Three Sony PTZ cameras were strategically positioned to provide comprehensive coverage of the room, capturing multiple angles of both the presenter and the audience. The setup was integrated with an LG video wall.
- Audio System: The audio system was designed to accommodate a variety of speaking formats and room setups. It includes a mix of Shure microphones — two handheld, one gooseneck, and eight wireless boundary microphones — along with a Catchbox throwable mic for interactive audience participation. Six QSC pendant speakers with built-in subwoofers deliver clear, evenly distributed sound.
- Sound Masking: A ceiling-mounted Dynasound sound-masking system introduces low-level background noise to counteract distractions from the adjacent cafeteria.
- Control System: The Q-SYS Core processor is the central hub, with a side-loaded Zoom control page that allows users to adjust the display, microphone levels, and speaker volume — all from a user-friendly interface.
“Every element of the system — from the strategic camera placement to the mix of microphones and dynamic sound masking — was carefully selected to overcome the space’s acoustic and functional challenges,” said Shawn Thornton, a Sales Manager at Haverford Systems. “The result is a collaborative, professional environment that supports seamless video conferencing, high-quality audio, and audience engagement.”
The completed project gives URBN a highly adaptable, technology-forward lecture space that can handle everything from casual team meetings to high-profile company events. Its seamless integration of A/V components, modern conferencing capabilities, and acoustic sophistication offers a glimpse into the future of workspace design, especially for companies that value both style and functionality.
For businesses looking to reimagine their own spaces, Haverford Systems offers custom solutions tailored to the architecture, function, and personality of each environment.
Learn more about Haverford Systems and how its commitment to personalized service means offering a hands-on approach throughout a project’s lifecycle and beyond.
