Municipality of Olen: Understandable governance starts here

A council chamber where everyone is kept in the loop, regardless of where they sit 

A municipal council is more than a meeting. It is the place where decisions are made, where residents are represented and where the local story is written. A place like that deserves technology that does not stand out, but does make a difference. For the new council chamber of the Municipality of Olen, we built an audiovisual environment that lets everyone hear, follow along and participate — clear, reliable and ready for the years ahead. 

The challenge: keeping an overview central 

The Municipality of Olen fitted out a brand-new council chamber: a warm space with wood, brick and plenty of natural light, where architecture and acoustics go hand in hand. The challenge was to weave an audiovisual installation into it that was just as carefully considered as the interior itself. Every councillor had to be able to take the floor smoothly, everyone in the room had to be able to hear everything clearly, and operation had to remain simple — even for those who are not technicians. 

Even sound reproduction

We integrated a full meeting and discussion system into the room’s characteristic U-shaped layout. Each councillor has their own microphone unit with a flexible gooseneck microphone, so everyone is clearly audible without having to search for the right button. Speaking turns run in an orderly way and the debate keeps flowing smoothly. To ensure even sound reproduction throughout the space, we provided a custom-tuned sound system, with discreetly integrated ceiling and pendant speakers that distribute sound evenly across the room. That way, everyone hears everything, from the first row to the last — without echo and without dead spots. A ceiling projector displays presentations, documents and visuals on a large scale, so councillors and the public can follow the agenda. 

A central control panel

The entire installation is easily controlled via a central control panel at the entrance: one clear touchscreen to manage image, sound and microphones. Technology that is ready when the meeting starts, and fades into the background when it is not needed. The interior finishing also received attention: from the warm LED lighting in the entrance hall to the clear ‘Welcome to the council chamber’ signage that immediately guides visitors. Everything neatly cabled and integrated, finished down to the last detail. 

The added value of Dustin

This project was realised in collaboration with our partner Dustin, within the framework agreement. That collaboration allows local authorities to invest smoothly, transparently and within a clear framework in high-quality audiovisual solutions. From advice on design to installation and aftercare: we took care of the whole project, so that the municipality could focus on what really matters — governing. Olen now has a council chamber where technology supports democracy instead of getting in the way. Every councillor gets the floor, every resident in the public seating can follow along effortlessly, and the municipality has an installation that is reliable, easy to operate and ready to grow with tomorrow’s needs.