Project Perspective
Barwon Health engaged Plan Group, alongside AV consultant ADP Consulting and architect ClarkeHopkinsClarke, to deliver a fully integrated audiovisual solution for the Central Geelong Mental Health Hub.
As a new purpose-built facility, the Hub was designed to support coordinated mental health services across clinical, administrative, and visiting practitioner teams. From the outset, audiovisual systems formed a key part of the building’s operational strategy, ensuring meeting and collaboration spaces were consistent, intuitive, and aligned with the demands of a modern healthcare environment.
The objective was to deliver a unified technology platform across all meeting spaces that would support both in-person and hybrid collaboration, simplify day-to-day use for staff, and provide clear visibility of room availability throughout the facility.
Technical Requirements
The solution was designed as a standardised Crestron-based meeting room ecosystem, implemented consistently across all collaboration spaces within the Hub. Each room was equipped with Crestron Flex systems integrated with LG commercial displays, providing a unified approach to video conferencing, presentation, and room control.
Crestron AirMedia was deployed to enable flexible wired and wireless presentation, allowing users to share content easily from a range of devices without the need for complex setup or training.
Audio distribution and processing across all rooms was managed via a Q-SYS platform, delivering reliable DSP performance and consistent audio routing to support clear communication in both clinical and administrative meetings.
Occupancy sensors were integrated into each space to enable intelligent system behaviour, allowing rooms to automatically power on when in use and shut down when vacant. This supported both ease of use and energy efficiency across the facility.
Crestron room booking panels were installed at each entry point, providing real-time visibility of room status and enabling staff to quickly book and manage spaces directly at the door.
A complementary digital signage network was deployed across the building using BrightSign media players, supporting wayfinding, communication, and operational messaging throughout the Hub.
The project was delivered within a staged construction program, requiring each floor to be completed and handed over independently in line with the builder’s schedule. As a central Geelong site, logistics and access constraints also required careful coordination of deliveries and installation activities.
Outcomes
The completed solution delivers a consistent, fully integrated audiovisual environment across the Central Geelong Mental Health Hub, purpose-designed to support the operational needs of a modern mental health facility.
Staff benefit from a unified meeting room experience across all spaces, reducing complexity and ensuring systems are intuitive to use regardless of room location. Automated occupancy-based control has simplified operation while improving efficiency, with rooms responding seamlessly to real-world usage.
Room booking panels provide immediate visibility of availability at each entry point, streamlining scheduling and reducing administrative friction. The digital signage system further enhances communication across the facility, delivering clear and consistent information throughout the building.
Delivered as part of a staged construction program in a constrained urban environment, the project required close coordination with the builder to achieve seamless handover across all levels. The result is a future-ready communications and collaboration platform, fully embedded into the fabric of the new Central Geelong Mental Health Hub.
