Inside the Fondation des États-Unis in Paris, the Grand Salon stands as one of the finest surviving examples of Art Deco interior design in the city. Designed by architect Pierre Leprince-Ringuet and inaugurated in 1930, the space is adorned with a series of frescoes by Franco-American painter Robert La Montagne Saint-Hubert, classified as a historic monument and restored by experts from the Musée du Louvre. As a residence and cultural centre within the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, the Fondation hosts a rich programme of concerts, talks, screenings and artistic events open to the public, anchored in a room whose heritage value is inseparable from its everyday use.
The Grand Salon serves as the cultural heart of the Fondation, accommodating both seated recitals and standing receptions, alongside a regular programme of rental events. Its wood-panelled interior and decorative surfaces create a refined but acoustically demanding environment. To introduce sound reinforcement into this room is not merely a technical decision but a curatorial one, requiring a system capable of delivering consistent clarity across all seating positions without compromising the visual integrity of the space.
To meet this challenge, Amadeus designed and deployed a discreet yet high-performance system, carefully adapted to the architectural character of the room. The system combines Amadeus C12 and C6 point-source loudspeakers with ABB12 subwoofers, ensuring precise coverage for both spoken word and musical performance throughout the hall. All loudspeakers were given a custom finish developed specifically for this installation, designed to harmonise with the warm tones of the wood-panelled interior and preserve the visual coherence of the space. The full system is powered by Powersoft Ottocanali amplification, ensuring reliable and controlled performance across all configurations.
The on-site installation and integration were carried out by PlayAudiovisuel, with particular attention to the constraints of working within a protected historic setting.
As Tori Johnson, Manager of Culture and Development at the Fondation des États-Unis, notes:
It was a pleasure working with Amadeus. Thanks to our new system, the range of events we can host, as well as our rental opportunities, has expanded significantly. We couldn't be happier with the service. No matter where you sit in our recital hall, the sound is crystal clear, turning every corner into the best seat in the house.
The result is a system that serves the full range of the Fondation's artistic ambitions while disappearing entirely into the heritage environment it inhabits.
