Social Security Administration

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Social Security Administration

Altmeyer Building

For the past eighty years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has provided financial protection for the American people. With over 1,400 offices nationwide, SSA delivers a broad range of services. The Altmeyer building, first constructed in 1959, was the first building on the SSA Woodlawn campus. The building renovations were made to “address health and safety issues, meet current accessibility standards, improve space utilization, and provide a healthy and energy-efficient working environment” according to former US Senator Barabara Mikulski. With 11,000 employees, the agency is the largest employer in Baltimore County.

This extensive, ten-story project, combines form with functionality to provide the highest quality audiovisual technology experience. The project highlight includes; one hundred and five conference rooms, divisible conference rooms, and the impressive auditorium/multipurpose room.

The primary function of the AV technology within the conference rooms is to provide seamless video conferencing capabilities. Crestron Digital Media presentation systems, Polycom Group Series video conferencing codecs, Shure MXA910 beam-forming ceiling microphones, and Panasonic displays allow the end-users easy video conferencing and presentation capabilities in the larger conference rooms. Seventy-one smaller conference rooms allow for one-on-one meetings or private video conferencing. Furthermore, three divisible spaces can function as large conference rooms or can be divided into smaller meeting spaces. These rooms include Shure MXA-910 beam-forming microphones, Crestron Media Switchers, multiple 75″ Panasonic displays and Panasonic 9,000 lumen video projectors.  Each room is equipped with a Crestron room scheduler to streamline coordination processes.

The most advanced audiovisual technology can be found within the auditorium/multipurpose room which has the ability to host large events and presentations.  In terms of audio, this impressive system features two Meyer Sound line arrays (each comprised of four full-range speakers and a subwoofer) along with Meyer Sound ceiling speakers installed strategically throughout the two spaces.  Additionally, the auditorium and multipurpose room utilize Shure wireless microphones, a Clearcom intercom system, Midas M32 digital mixer, and an RF and induction-loop based assisted listening system.

The Mikulski auditorium/multipurpose room also includes cutting-edge video technology for local and outbound presentations.  This includes a Ross Video integrated production system, three Sony PTZ cameras, Polycom video conferencing codec, two Panasonic 16:10 video projectors, and two 86″ Panasonic displays.  Users can present content through multiple wallplates and floorbox connections located throughout the space.  Each location features a wide variety of connections for various devices which include HDMI, VGA, HD-SDI, XLR, powered-monitor outputs, data tie-lines, intercom, and LEMO SMPTE Camera connections.

Lastly, DI oversaw the installation of the theatrical lighting fixtures, theater curtains, and shade integration within the AV control system.  Users are able to control house lighting presets through the various Crestron toucphpanels in addition to being able to control the shades within the spaces.  Both shades and lighting presets can also be controlled wirelessly through an iPad to enhance portability.  For advanced lighting control, users can create scenes and manipulate the settings of individual lighting fixtures within the ETC Gio @5 lighting console.  All of which work together to create a seamless professional AV experience.