Baton Rouge, LA
After nearly a decade without a major upgrade, the Louisiana State Legislature embarked on a $6.5 million AV renovation to bring its historic Capitol building into the digital age. Ford Audio-Video and the Legislature first began planning in 2018, delivered a full proposal in 2019, and secured approval in 2022. Their goal was clear: enhance legislative communication, promote public accessibility, and deliver reliability during sessions that can run up to 16 hours a day for three months straight.
This renovation was the outcome of a long-standing partnership that began in 2009. Ford AV was awarded a competitive multi-million dollar bid project to overhaul AV systems throughout the building. That foundational work established the trust and technical excellence that led the Legislature to hire Ford AV directly, without the involvement of a third-party consultant.
Upgrading AV Without Disrupting Daily Operations
Navigating the Legislature’s packed session calendar led to some scheduling challenges. With bill debates in full swing during the first half of each year, major installations had to be performed in phases during off-season windows. Working within the Capitol’s historic chambers required close coordination with preservation teams, custom mounting solutions, and careful routing of cabling to respect the building’s architectural integrity.
The team replaced aging analog systems with modern digital infrastructure, ensuring every microphone, speaker, and display would perform day in and day out. This transformation wasn’t just about swapping old gear; it was about preserving the Legislature’s ability to govern efficiently, even under the most demanding schedules.
“One of the biggest things that the state legislature really needed more than anything else is reliability.”
— Anthony Long, Audio Visual Technician at Louisiana State Legislature
Transforming Chambers and Committee Rooms
Over the course of the renovation, all audiovisual systems were upgraded in the House and Senate Chambers, 11 committee rooms, a central control room, and several ancillary spaces. Key enhancements include:
- Audio Systems: More than 280 low-profile ceiling speakers were strategically deployed to deliver even coverage throughout each chamber and meeting room, while freeing up desk real estate for legislators’ laptops, printers, and documents.
- Video Systems: Over 200 digital displays were replaced with high-definition panels, ensuring staff, delegates, and the public see crisp, clear visuals of bills, charts, and live feeds.
- Conference Systems: Every delegate seat received its own conferencing station, complete with a microphone, built-in speaker, and a 10″ touch panel. This system helped them vote and stay informed on what was shared during the meeting.
Beyond the hardware upgrades, integrated automation reduced the need for on-site staff to be present in individual rooms. Committee meetings can be launched remotely, and system health is monitored continuously to catch issues before they disrupt business.
“Ford AV has made sure that just about anybody can come up and very easily learn the system and be able to control it.”
— Anthony Long, Audio Visual Technician at the Louisiana State Legislature
A Long-Term Partnership Built on Trust
The reliable, user-friendly systems and proactive support ensured the Louisiana State Legislature could carry out its duties without interruption. With integration in place, committee meetings and floor sessions continued to run smoothly. The upgraded infrastructure also expanded public accessibility and reinforced the Legislature’s core mission: to draft and pass laws efficiently, supported by technology that performs with consistency day after day.
This project demonstrates what’s possible with a long-term relationship between client and integrator. The Legislature’s decision to re-engage the same team, without the involvement of an external consultant, speaks to the confidence they have in both the technical expertise and the professionalism delivered. Direct collaboration with legislative staff allowed for highly tailored solutions that met the unique needs of each chamber and committee room.
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