Whitwam Installs Bose in Plaisterers’ Hall

Discreet AV Integration at Plaisterers’ Hall: Enhancing a Historic London Livery Venue with Modern Sound and Control

Project Overview

The Plaisterers’ Hall is the largest and one of the finest Livery Halls in London. Located at One London Wall in the heart of the City, the venue combines the grandeur of classical 18th-century design, inspired by Robert Adam, with a modern, purpose-built structure opened in 1972.

As a long-standing partner, Whitwam has supported the venue for many years, working closely with Facilities Manager Lee White to ensure the Hall’s technical infrastructure continues to meet the evolving demands of its busy hire and events programme.

The Requirement

The Great Hall recently underwent a significant technical upgrade to enhance its flexibility as a premium events space. Hosting everything from formal dining and corporate functions to weddings and large-scale receptions, the brief called for:

• High-quality speech intelligibility and music playback
• Flexible control for a wide range of event formats
• Seamless integration with existing infrastructure
• A design that respected the Hall’s ornate, neo-classical architecture

Having originally installed the system in 2004, Whitwam was uniquely positioned to deliver an upgrade that balanced performance with preservation.

The Solution

Following a comparative on-site demonstration, the client selected a Bose line array solution for its clarity, coverage and discreet form factor.

The system comprises:

• Eight Bose Panaray MA12 line array loudspeakers
• Two Bose Panaray MB12 subwoofers for low-frequency support
• Bose PowerMatch amplification (PM8500N and PM4500N)

This is supported by a comprehensive infrastructure of microphones, DSP and control systems, including Crestron touch screen control and Q-SYS processing, enabling reliableoperation across a wide variety of event setups.

Touchscreen interfaces, both fixed and wireless, allow intuitive management of sound and lighting, while multiple microphone points distributed throughout the Hall provide maximum flexibility for changing room layouts.

Discreet Integration in a Historic Setting

A key success of the project lies in its sensitivity to the building’s architectural heritage.

The Great Hall’s highly decorative plasterwork and classical detailing demanded a solution that would be virtually invisible. The slimline Bose MA12 loudspeakers were selected for their acoustic performance, particularly their controlled vertical dispersion suited to the Hall’s ceiling height, and their ability to be visually integrated into the environment.

Each loudspeaker was carefully finished to match the surrounding wall surfaces, allowing the technology to blend effortlessly into the fabric of the building. The result is an audio system that delivers exceptional clarity while remaining almost imperceptible to guests, preserving the visual impact of the space.

Long-Term Partnership

Whitwam’s long-standing relationship with Plaisterers’ Hall has been central to the project’s success. With a deep understanding of both the venue’s operational needs and its architectural sensitivities, the team has been able to evolve the AV infrastructure over time without compromising the character of the space.

This ongoing collaboration ensures the venue remains competitive as a high-end hire space, equipped to support modern expectations around sound quality, flexibility and ease of use.

Client Testimonial (Suggested for approval – Chloe to follow up pending Copper leaf’s input)

“We’ve worked with Whitwam for many years, and their understanding of the Hall and how we operate is invaluable. The installation of AV has significantly enhanced the flexibility of our event offering while remaining completely sympathetic to the building’s historic character.”

The discreet integration is particularly impressive and guests often comment on the clarity of the sound but rarely notice where it’s coming from. That balance between performance and preservation is exactly what we needed.”
Lee White, Facilities Manager, Plaisterers’ Hall

The Result

The upgraded system ensures Plaisterers’ Hall continues to deliver a first-class experience for clients and guests alike. By combining high-performance audio with intuitive control and sensitive design, Whitwam has futureproofed the venue while respecting its rich architectural heritage.

The result is a space that sounds as impressive as it looks, supporting a diverse programme of events without compromise.