Houston, Texas
When McCarthy Building Companies moved their Houston headquarters, they wanted an AV environment that matched their modern space and improved collaboration. Ford AV delivered a complete AV design-build solution across Levels 21 and 22, managing everything from initial engineering to field installation and commissioning. The result is a cohesive, Microsoft Teams–ready ecosystem that supports executive offices, huddle rooms, medium conference rooms, a combinable multi-purpose training complex, a boardroom, and a high-impact reception area.
Architectural challenges and technical adjustments
Architectural priorities significantly influenced the project’s complexity. Decorative slat ceilings and an open-ceiling aesthetic required coordination for rigging, attachments, and cable concealment. The AV team needed to adapt standard practices to meet visual expectations without compromising system performance.
Additionally, during commissioning, the team encountered a connectivity issue in the combinable training rooms that required an engineering change to ensure stable operation. Sound masking across both floors also required special attention. Open ceilings meant emitters and cabling had to be hidden and routed with extra precision to preserve the aesthetic finish.
Creative AV design and engineering solutions
Ford responded with a mix of creative design and careful engineering. To maintain the architect’s visual intent, the installation team used bulk cabling with field terminations where pre-made jumpers could not be concealed, routing cable paths so they remained perpendicular and visually consistent within the exposed ceiling.
For reliable room control, the engineering team worked with Poly guidance and reconfigured the TC10 touch panels to connect physically to the G9 codecs rather than relying on network pairing, which eliminated intermittent disconnects. The reception area was given a 110-inch display and a downward-facing logo projector.
“We got creative and installed a downward facing projection solution that would shine their logo on to the floor. The customer has complete access to the software and can change the logo, so they can utilize a customer logo as a welcome for the visit or create seasonal graphics.”
— Doug Hill, Ford AV
The lobby AV also includes a Teams-capable UC system with a PTZ camera and in-ceiling microphones to stream the company’s bell-ringing ceremonies to remote teams.
Technology deployment across the facility
Across the facility, Ford deployed technologies to simplify user experience and administration. Small huddle rooms and executive offices use Poly Studio X30 endpoints with TC10 touch panels and room scheduling. Medium conference rooms were outfitted with Poly Studio X52 systems. The boardroom and the combinable training rooms utilize Poly E60 PTZ cameras and G9 codecs with Extron control. Sound masking and background music were integrated across both floors following the aesthetic constraints of the exposed ceiling. Every space was designed around Microsoft Teams conferencing to deliver consistent call quality and operational familiarity for end users.
Positive user feedback
Users at McCarthy found the systems intuitive and reliable. The combinable training rooms earned praise for how seamlessly they functioned and how simple they are to operate in different configurations. Most importantly, corporate IT recognized the stability of the installation.
“We have been extremely happy with the results of your efforts, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate not having to troubleshoot random problems.”
— Stuart Eddleston, McCarthy
Fine-Tuning the Experience
Not every decision produced perfect results on day one. The boardroom’s initial ceiling-microphone approach prioritized sightlines but did not deliver the best voice clarity for the room’s acoustics. Ford implemented a shift to table-top microphones in the boardroom to optimize audio pickup and user experience, demonstrating our commitment to fine-tuning solutions based on actual room behavior and user feedback.
Why this Matters
This project shows how commercial AV design-build partners can balance architectural aesthetics with operational performance. For firms moving into modern office environments, it is essential to choose a partner who can coordinate tightly with architects, adapt installation methods, and validate interoperability during commissioning.
The McCarthy Houston headquarters is a practical example of a corporate AV solution that supports everyday collaboration, provides memorable client-facing moments in the lobby, and reduces the burden on IT through stable, predictable systems.
Ford AV helps organizations like yours design, build, and integrate AV systems that work reliably from day one. Contact us to start planning your next workplace technology project.
