Quarters Brighton; AV design for nightclubs
Quarters Brighton is hidden beneath Brighton’s historic brickwork arches is reborn. This isn’t just a refresh, it’s a full refit of an iconic space, armed with an AV system that can take a beating and still deliver audio perfection. Audiotek was hired to design and install a complete audio, lighting, and performance package that could handle anything from live bands to intense 3am DJ sets.
With a 4-point immersive L-Acoustics system at its heart, this was no ordinary nightclub job. This was a precision AV install in a series of Victorian arches, complete with bespoke lighting and enough headroom (sonic and physical) to blow the ceiling off (but gently).
Project Challenges - Quarters Brighton
Refitting a club in a space built before electricity was even a thing? That’s always going to throw up a few issues.
- Structure & Load bearing: The venue consists of Victorian brick arches. New truss work had to be suspended from structurally sound beams to take the weight of all audio and lighting gear.
- No Surprises Allowed: Sound was pre-modelled in L-Acoustics Soundvision, with lighting mapped in Capture software. This allowed the client to see (and hear) exactly how the system would perform before a single cable was run.
AV Design for Nightclubs; Design Tools & Technical Expertise
This wasn’t a suck-it-and-see install. Every component was planned in advance using:
- L-Acoustics Soundvision for sound field modelling
- Capture software for lighting visualisation
- Structural planning to integrate truss work into Victorian architecture without compromising safety or aesthetics
These tools allowed the team to present a complete 3D walkthrough of the finished system, so the client could sign off with eyes open.
Key Innovations at Quarters Brighton
- Immersive Sound: The 4-point system in the main room delivers an enveloping sonic experience, ideal for DJs who want to play with space and movement.
- Visual Integration: LED netting and custom battens were fitted to complement both the brickwork and the energy of the room, without adding clutter.
- Performer-Ready: Whether it’s a DJ or full band, the system is plug-and-play across multiple configurations.
Installation & Execution
- Coordination: Worked closely with structural engineers to ensure weight loading and anchoring.
- Cabling and control gear fully hidden and integrated for a clean finish.
"Working with AMAAD has been a really exciting process. Seeing previous projects the team have bought together in the festival and events world, and bringing this into a fixed venue has been really exciting. TO really get creative, but also to create a flexible space.” — Chris Kmiec, UK General Manager, Audiotek
Key takeaways from Quarters Brighton
- Acoustic modelling for non-traditional venues: Design from the ground up for non traditional spaces, nothing is off the shelf with a project like this.
- Client engagement through simulation: When you can show your client the finished result before it exists, they buy in faster and trust the process.
Conclusion
Quarters Brighton is what happens when you respect the past but design for the future. With a meticulously engineered L-Acoustics system, custom lighting, and serious attention to usability for performers, this is a venue that sets a new bar for club installs in the UK.
Whether you’re designing for a warehouse, arch, or chapel, Audiotek brings immersive performance to any space.
