Sony’s flagship 98” BZ53L display forms the visual backbone of a comprehensive AV solution at University College Dublin’s new O’Connor Centre for Learning, creating a flexible, intuitive and sustainable technology-enabled environment for more than 3,000 students
University College Dublin (UCD) has opened Ireland’s largest dedicated teaching and learning facility, the new O’Connor Centre for Learning, equipped with a comprehensive AV solution designed to support flexible, collaborative and technology-enabled education.
Located on UCD’s Belfield Campus, the 11,580m² facility opened in March 2026 and includes 30 active learning spaces, a 250-seat lecture theatre and capacity for more than 3,000 students. Designed around flexible use and student engagement, the centre provides adaptable environments that support group activities, collaboration and interaction between students and lecturers.
Dublin-based systems integrator ISSAV | Econocom was appointed to deliver the full AV fit-out across 35 collaboration spaces, working closely with UCD, the architect and main contractor to ensure the technology installation aligned with the wider building programme.
At the heart of the solution are Sony’s BRAVIA Professional Displays, providing a consistent visual platform across teaching, learning and public spaces. The installation includes forty of its flagship 98-inch BRAVIA BZ53L Professional Display, representing one of the largest single-site deployments of Sony’s 98-inch 4K HDR professional displays in Europe. The large-format displays are deployed in high-capacity areas and are complemented by 85-inch BRAVIA BZ30L models in medium and smaller classrooms.
The BRAVIA BZ53L displays feature Sony’s Deep Black Non-Glare technology, which combines anti-glare and low-reflection technologies to reduce reflections from room lighting while enhancing contrast. With screen brightness of up to 780 nits, the displays are designed to deliver clear, detailed visuals even in demanding teaching environments.
The display solution forms part of a wider integrated AV environment delivered by ISSAV | Econocom. From classrooms through to the main lecture theatre, the centre’s teaching and learning spaces feature technology-enabled active learning environments, combining Sony BRAVIA displays with Crestron control, projection, conferencing cameras, lecture capture, wireless audio and technology from other vendors.
The result is a standardised and intuitive user experience across the centre, allowing students and staff to collaborate and engage with teaching content with ease.
Designed with sustainability in mind
Sustainability was an important consideration throughout the project. The O’Connor Centre for Learning is a Near-Zero Energy Building (NZEB), and the AV solution incorporates technologies designed to reduce energy consumption and minimise the environmental impact of the installation.
The BRAVIA BZ53L Professional Displays incorporate a range of energy-saving features, including an Eco Dashboard that enables users to configure and manage energy-saving settings, while Smart Input Signal Power Management can automatically power down displays when no input signal is detected.
An ambient light sensor can also automatically adjust screen brightness according to the lighting conditions, helping to reduce power consumption in darker environments.
The displays also make extensive use of Sony’s recycled SORPLAS™ material, manufactured using used water bottles and waste optical discs. Their lower chassis weight compared with previous models helps reduce the transport footprint, while built-in HTML5 support enables interactive signage content to be displayed without the need for an additional set-top box, media player or PC.
A future-ready learning environment
The project’s successful delivery was underpinned by close collaboration and detailed planning from the early stages of development. Off-site benchmarking was undertaken ahead of installation to ensure that systems could be deployed on-site to an agreed standard and in line with the project timeline.
The resulting AV environment provides UCD with a flexible and future-ready foundation for teaching and learning, combining consistent operation, high-quality visuals and integrated technology across the new facility.
By providing a common visual platform throughout classrooms, collaboration spaces, the lecture theatre and public areas, Sony Pro BRAVIA displays help create a cohesive technology experience for students, lecturers and visitors, supporting UCD’s ambition to provide a modern environment for learning, collaboration and research.
Liam Corcoran, Estate Services Operations Manager for UCD commented: “The AV systems in the O’Connor Centre for Learning play a critical role in teaching and learning activities, and the solutions that ISSAV has provided are excellent. Designed with active learning as its core objective, the building demanded high performance collaboration facilities. ISSAV integrated systems that deliver premium quality display and audio, seamless operation and detailed workmanship.
Benchmarking set a high standard from the beginning, and users benefit from consistency throughout the building. Each room features crisp, high-resolution display and acoustics that serve every user. This is essential for engagement and accessibility in active learning environments. Months in, users have reported a very positive experience. Attention to detail and a focus on the user experience are evident in every space. The AV deployment has been instrumental to the success of our new facility.”
Adam Dover, Senior Corporate Marketing Manager for Sony Europe comments: “This project is a fantastic example of how large-format professional displays can transform modern learning environments. With forty 98-inch BRAVIA Professional Displays deployed across the O’Connor Centre for Learning, this represents one of its largest single-site deployments in Europe. We’re proud to be part of such an ambitious, future-focused facility, delivering high-quality, reliable and sustainable display technology that supports UCD’s vision for flexible and engaging teaching and learning.”
For more information on Sony’s 98” BZ53L BRAVIA Professional Display visit pro.sony.
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