Arding & Hobbs is a landmark building at Clapham Junction, South London, steeped in local history and cultural significance. Once a beloved department store, the property has now been transformed into a vibrant, multi-use business, leisure and community hub with the help of smart technology, designed and installed by SCCI and integrated onto the Control4 platform.

Commercial hospitality operator x+why has shaped the building’s new life. Known for their stylish and sustainable approach to design and community integration, x+why recognized that the redevelopment of the Arding & Hobbs building presented unique challenges. The team needed to reflect its rich heritage while making it relevant for modern users. The space had to be flexible, supporting everything from co-working, business meetings and video conferencing to hospitality, social events and private parties. Crucially, the technology infrastructure needed to be unobtrusive, simple to operate yet powerful, enhancing the user experience without detracting from the building’s period details and aesthetic.

Well-being was another core concept, with the technology available to everyone’s advantage and emotive, experience-led design at the forefront of x+why’s thinking. The company called in technology integration specialists SCCI to deliver a solution that would meet these diverse needs.

The centerpiece of the installation is the automation platform from ADI brand, Control4, which manages audio and video control throughout the building.

The club room at Arding & Hobbs is a highlight of the installation. Designed as an elegant yet flexible event space, it features its own dedicated L-Acoustics audio system, with seven X6i loudspeakers, two SYVA Infra Low Frequency subwoofers and two SUB10i subwoofers, powered by an LA4X and an LA2Xi Amplified Controller. The furniture within the Club Room is movable, enabling rapid re-configuration, with the Control4 platform allowing users to easily switch between different modes. After dark, the audio system comes into its own, transforming the atmosphere for parties and private functions. Two “nooks” at the back of the Club Room allow users to retreat from the main space and enjoy Apple TV on Sony Bravia 50” Pro Display screens, also controlled by Control4.

“From the initial brief, we envisioned the Club Room as a place for informal business lunches,” said Richard Reid, business development director, SCCI. “In reality, it’s also become very popular for parties, watching sports and other group activities. It’s a multi-functional destination for members, and Control4 helps us shift the technology quickly and efficiently so it can adapt to these different room uses, while the quality of the AV experience is exceptional.”

Arding & Hobbs also features a dedicated event space that allows for product launches, conferences and other activities for up to 500 attendees. Here again, the AV set up from SCCI is all about flexibility and quality. The room features a bespoke 16:9 drop-down screen and Epson 8,500 lumens 3LCD projector, with audio provided by eight commercial-grade loudspeakers and four Bronze series subwoofers from ADI brands, Episode and Triad, powered by a Yamaha multi-channel amplifier. Fully integrated onto the Control4 platform, technology operation is enabled through the use of a Control4 Halo hand-held remote.

In the nearby silk room, private meetings can take place within the period-inspired interior thanks to the latest video conferencing technology and large screen provided by SCCI. The room can also be reconfigured easily and quickly for social events with access to Apple TV and speakers handled again through a Control4 Halo remote.

SCCI has deployed AV technology not just for presentation use in the private and co-working spaces, but also for creating a comfortable and productive working environment for members. Background audio through Episode Commercial Series speakers helps mask ambient noise. SCCI also built a robust Wi-Fi network for the space using equipment from another ADI brand, Araknis Networks.

“SCCI’s AV installation is about creating great experiences for our members,” said Phil Nevin, co-founder, x+why. “With SCCI’s expertise and support from Control4 and other ADI brands, we have a system that enhances enjoyment, well-being and connection, rather than just delivering the important technical features that we require. The discretion the system offers within the interior of the building is also a huge part of its appeal. It gives us everything that we asked for, and so much more.”