St Peter's Cathedral Audio Visual Upgrade Case Study
Delivered by AV Integration
Title and Overview
The audio-visual upgrade at St Peter's Cathedral represents a carefully considered balance between modern technology and heritage preservation. As one of Adelaide's most iconic landmarks and the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide, the Cathedral plays a vital role in hosting weekly worship services, civic ceremonies, concerts, and major diocesan events.
AV Integration was engaged as the specialist contractor to design, supply, install, and commission a complete audio, control, and livestreaming solution. The project addressed longstanding challenges with speech intelligibility while introducing modern capabilities to support both in-person and remote participation.
The result is a discreetly integrated, high-performance AV system that enhances clarity, improves accessibility, and respects the architectural significance of the Cathedral.
Executive Summary
For many years, St Peter's Cathedral experienced limitations with its ageing public address system. Poor speech intelligibility, inconsistent coverage, and a lack of modern streaming capability impacted both the in-person and remote experience.
AV Integration delivered a comprehensive AV upgrade, including:
- A distributed loudspeaker system
- Advanced digital signal processing
- Integrated control systems
- Networked audio infrastructure
- Livestreaming capability
Working within strict heritage constraints, the solution was designed to be visually unobtrusive while delivering a significant improvement in audio performance. The upgraded system now provides clear, consistent sound throughout the Cathedral, simplifies operation for staff, and enables high-quality livestreaming for broader community engagement.
Project Background
St Peter's Cathedral is a heritage-listed building and a central place of worship and community gathering in Adelaide. Its large internal volume, stone construction, and reverberant acoustics present inherent challenges for sound reinforcement.
Over time, the existing PA system had become inadequate, struggling to deliver clear and intelligible speech across the nave and side aisles. Congregants frequently reported difficulty hearing sermons, readings, and announcements.
In addition, the absence of reliable livestreaming capability limited the Cathedral's ability to connect with remote audiences, an increasingly important requirement for modern places of worship.
AV Integration was engaged to deliver a solution that would address these challenges while preserving the architectural integrity of the space.
Objectives and Requirements
Key Objectives
- Improve speech intelligibility throughout the Cathedral
- Deliver consistent audio coverage across all seating areas
- Introduce reliable livestreaming capability
- Provide a simple and intuitive control system
- Preserve the visual and architectural integrity of the heritage space
Technical Requirements
- High-performance loudspeaker system suited to reverberant environments
- Advanced DSP for tuning and optimisation
- Networked audio infrastructure for flexibility and scalability
- Integrated control system for ease of use
- Discreet installation compliant with heritage requirements
- Reliable operation for frequent services and events
The Solution / Design Approach
AV Integration developed a tailored solution designed specifically for the acoustic and architectural challenges of the Cathedral.
Distributed Loudspeaker System
A column loudspeaker system from Fohhn Audio was deployed throughout the space. This approach provides controlled sound dispersion, improving speech intelligibility while minimising reflections within the reverberant environment.
Advanced DSP and Audio Processing
Digital signal processing was implemented to precisely tune the system to the Cathedral's acoustics. This ensures clear, consistent audio reproduction for both speech and music.
Integrated Control System
A simplified control platform from Crestron enables staff to easily manage audio levels, source selection, and livestreaming functions through an intuitive interface.
Networked Audio Infrastructure
A Dante audio networking backbone was installed, providing flexible signal routing, scalability, and integration with recording and streaming systems.
Heritage-Sensitive Integration
All equipment was custom finished and carefully positioned to blend seamlessly with the Cathedral's architecture, ensuring minimal visual impact while meeting strict heritage requirements.
Implementation and Delivery
AV Integration worked closely with Cathedral stakeholders to deliver the project with minimal disruption to ongoing services and events.
System Design and Planning – Acoustic modelling and system design tailored to the space.
Infrastructure Installation – Cabling and discreet installation within heritage constraints.
Equipment Integration – Deployment of loudspeakers, DSP, and control systems.
Testing and Commissioning – System tuning to optimise intelligibility and coverage.
Training and Handover – Staff training for simple and effective system operation.
Careful coordination and attention to detail ensured a seamless installation within a sensitive heritage environment.
Watch the Project Video
Results
The completed upgrade has significantly enhanced communication and accessibility within St Peter's Cathedral.
Enhanced Speech Intelligibility
Speech is now clear and consistent throughout the Cathedral, allowing congregants to fully engage with services and events regardless of seating location.
Improved User Experience
The simplified control system enables clergy and staff to operate the system with confidence and ease.
Expanded Reach Through Livestreaming
High-quality livestreaming capability allows services and events to reach audiences beyond the physical space, strengthening community connection.
Respect for Heritage
The system integrates seamlessly into the Cathedral's architecture, preserving its visual character while delivering modern functionality.
The St Peter's Cathedral AV upgrade demonstrates how thoughtful design and advanced technology can overcome complex acoustic challenges within heritage environments. By restoring clarity to the spoken word and enabling modern communication capabilities, AV Integration has helped ensure the Cathedral continues to serve its community—both in person and beyond its walls—for years to come.