Grzebik Design Group Designs the World’s Largest Solar-Powered Loudspeaker System
Delivers Uniform Coverage of 105 dB of High-Fidelity Audio to 40,000 Seated Spectators
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July 13, 2009 – Petaluma, California – Leading acoustical and audio systems design and integration consultancy, Grzebik Design Group, designed and supervised the installation of the world’s largest 100% solar-powered audio system for the world's largest solar-powered sports facility, the Taiwan National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Designed to deliver 105 decibels of high-fidelity audio coverage to the 40,000 seated spectators, the digitally-controlled sound system, as well as the 3,300 lux of lighting, two jumbo vision screens and all other systems in the facility, receives 100% of its power from the facility’s unique solar roof. 

Founded in 2004, the Grzebik Design Group (GDG) provides acoustical consulting services, as well as on-sight implementation assistance to both the installed and live sound markets.  For almost two decades, GDG’s founder, Barry Grzebik, has worked behind-the-scenes in the live sound, and the live sound for broadcast, markets on numerous, high-profile events including countless Academy, Grammy and Emmy Award presentations, Cirque de Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall, the Dahli Lama’s historic visit to Vancouver in 2004, and a myriad of sporting and Olympic events.

The design criteria for the streamlined multi-purpose sound system called for it to meet-and-exceed the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)-standard for high-fidelity music, and spoken or pre-recorded general event and emergency announcements, regardless of venue use or circumstances.  The venue’s fire and life safety systems are integrated into the front end of the audio system and programmed to override all other program playback material in the event of emergency announcements.  Redundancy programming and full battery backup is incorporated into the system to insure that in the event of an emergency, the sound system is always functional.   

Mr. Grzebik states, “Many local jurisdictions require the primary performance audio system to mute during emergencies to allow a separate emergency audio system to take over.  The majority of architects and building management executives with whom I work understand the importance, and require the integration, of fire and life-safety announcement playback into the primary sound system, for improved intelligibility, clarity and overall performance.”

Due to the unique design characteristics and the load-baring limitations of the building’s structure, Mr. Grzebik chose Apogee Sound loudspeakers for their high-output-to-size performance capabilities.  The smaller clusters of low-profile wide dispersion Apogee Sound loudspeakers deliver uniform sound throughout the facility without putting undo stresses on, nor detract from the appearance of, the stadium’s elegant framework.

The Taiwan National Stadium makes use of 60 distributed Apogee Sound AE-7SX weather-resistant loudspeakers for primary seating area coverage, 12 Apogee Sound ALA-5WSX weather resistant Acoustic Linear Array loudspeakers provides field coverage, and 2 Apogee Sound AFI-205 and two AFI-Point5 loudspeakers provide Control Room audio monitoring.  The 76 loudspeakers are powered by 52 Peavey Electronics model PV2600 and 3 model PV1500 power amplifiers.  Additional signal processing equipment includes Apogee Sound loudspeaker controllers, Symetrix SymNet Digital Signal Processing equipment, an Altair 48-channel mixing desk, Tascam CD, DVD and cassette players, Peavey Electronics, microphones, and CUE Touch Panel Controllers, all wired together with 9,500 meters (5.5 miles) of Klotz Cable. 

The ultra-modern $5 billion Taiwan National Stadium, designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, and constructed for the 2009 World Games, features a stunning 14,155 square meter roof incorporating 8,844 solar panels, which emulates the form of a flowing river, and generates 1.14 million KWh annually preventing the release of 660 tons-per-annum of atmospheric carbon dioxide.  On days when the Taiwan National Stadium is not in use, the electricity generated from its roof is fed back the city’s electrical grid where it will meet almost 80% of the area’s energy requirements.  The Taiwan National Stadium also integrates additional green features such as permeable paving and the extensive use of reusable, domestically made materials.

Mr. Grzebik states, “GDG’s vision has always been to take on diverse and innovative projects that create quality performing arts, education, worship and entertainment venues for the community. The Taiwan National Stadium perfectly represents the new era of green building design and construction and we’re proud of our continued affiliation with projects of this nature.”

The Grzebik Design Group provides acoustical consulting services, as well as on-sight implementation assistance to both the installed and live sound markets, including architectural and room acoustics, sound system design, equalization, calibration, and verification, sound isolation and critical listening environment design.  Barry Grzebik has almost two decades of results-oriented experience in manufacturing and technical sales, audio systems design and integration, and award-winning professional audio equipment product design.

For more info, please contact Barry Grzebik at Email: bgrzebik@gdgpro.com  Please visit www.gdgpro.com or call or fax the Grzebik Design Group at Phone: (707)235-2128 and Fax:  (707)776-4666

Taiwan National Stadium Equipment List: