LucesPro achieved a world-class auditory experience with cutting-edge technologies from FBT, establishing Pavilion Vik as a benchmark in the world of fixed installations in Uruguay.
FBT’s reputation for excellence in fixed installation applications drove the inclusion of the Italian audio company’s technology in high-profile permanent installation projects in Uruguay. When it comes to demanding requirements, such as those presented by Pavilion Vik, a brand like FBT is a natural choice.
LucesPro was founded in 2009 by Rodrigo Fernández, and the company was under his direction until 2021. In October of that year, Inés Berrutti took over as director, and she continues to lead LucesPro to this day.
Among its own installations, the company has a 200-square-meter showroom in Montevideo, along with a storage area dedicated to maintaining a permanent stock of most of the products it sells. It also offers a comprehensive post-sales service area, as one of its core principles is providing excellent service to everyone who approaches LucesPro, not only at the time of sale, but whenever they need it.
“In its beginnings, as the name (LucesPro) suggests, we were dedicated to the import and distribution of lighting equipment for shows. We were pioneers in the migration from conventional lighting to LED systems, which gave us a strong position from the start and for which we are still a reference today,” said Gerardo Hernández, the General Manager of the Uruguayan company.
Over the years, staying true to its principle of making work easier for its clients and the rest of the market, LucesPro expanded its offerings by incorporating audio equipment. “Today we represent the leading brands of professional audio and have a wide variety of products for commercial installations within this sector,” Hernández noted.
Looking to represent a professional audio brand that could compete in the local market in terms of both quality and price, while also offering clients a broad catalog of solutions for their projects, LucesPro began distributing the FBT brand. From that moment on, sales of the Italian brand’s systems have seen steady growth, continuing to evolve to this day.
In the specific case of the Vik project in José Ignacio, it arose from the need for this important tourist center to have a sound system capable of covering a wide variety of social and cultural events, from electronic music parties with international DJs to weddings, corporate events, and conferences.
Pavilion Vik was conceived by Alex and Carrie Vik along with Marcelo Daglio, who created a stunning event space built directly on the beach with a large terrace facing the sea.
With a natural, organic, and uncluttered aesthetic, its single-story dome structure features lapacho wood on the exterior and maple wood interiors that beautifully enhance and celebrate all types of gatherings. The striking interior captures visitors’ attention with hundreds of lights on the ceiling that design a starry sky, creating an atmosphere unlike any other. The complex includes Playa Vik and Estancia Vik, with a capacity of up to 450 seated guests and 1,000 in cocktail format. Pavilion Vik had everything to succeed, it just needed an efficient and quality sound system. And LucesPro found the solution by installing FBT products.
The Vik authorities were looking for an international quality sound system that was versatile and had support in Uruguay. Thus, LucesPro joined the project, starting with calculations and measurements. They then continued with the commercial development, and three months later, the installation of an FBT Horizon VHA system was completed.
The installation at Vik required a total of 6 HORIZON VHA 406A systems, 2 HORIZON VHA 112A, with 4 HORIZON VHA 118.2A systems and 1 XTA DP548 control unit.
By incorporating a next-generation sound system, the new installations at Pavilion Vik improved audio intelligibility.
“The sound design was handled by our project department, taking into account all the characteristics of the venue and the client’s needs,” acknowledged Gerardo Hernández, who added that “the boxes were flown over 6 meters high with anchor points specifically generated for the installation.” Once the system was fine-tuned, LucesPro trained the venue’s technical staff in the use of these sound systems.
Gerardo Hernández, who led the project and system tuning, was assisted by Diego de Carolis, who serves as installation technician and safety supervisor, and Joaquín Villat, who helped with the tuning of the FBT HORIZON VHA system.
When highlighting a quality of the FBT cabinets, Hernández said that “the clarity of the highs always stands out in FBT systems, and Horizon VHA is no exception, along with the surprising power of the HORIZON 118A Sub.”
The combination of the installed equipment precisely addresses Pavilion Vik’s needs, especially in delivering the highest levels of clarity for speech, singing, and various performances. And, importantly for a complex like this, the durability and quality of FBT products mean that Pavilion Vik in Jose Ignacio will enjoy the benefits of its new audio solution for many years.
LucesPro understands the importance of having stock in its warehouse. Having product on hand allows for immediate sales without the risk of cancellations due to waiting for a shipment from the factory. “We try to have as many of the products that make up FBT’s catalog as possible,” commented the manager of the Montevideo-based company.
Currently, LucesPro has stock of Ventis, Promaxx112 and Promaxx 114, Jmaxx112 and Jmaxx114, Mitus 152A and Mitus 215A, CS1000, Subline 118A and 218A, Xlite, Xpro, Xsub, Muse 210LA, and Horizon VHA. Regarding the installation line, the company has Archon, CSL520tic, CSL630tic, and CSL840tic.
Of all those products, Hernández assured that “of what we have in stock, the one I liked the most is the CS1000. The sound quality, power, and its size are truly surprising.”
Over the past year, in addition to the installation at Pavilion Vik Jose Ignacio, LucesPro carried out several projects where FBT products stood out. Notable among these are the installations completed at the Intendencia de Canelones Dinamo, the Intendencia de Canelones Sala Julio Sosa, the Intendencia de Montevideo Unidad Animación Móvil, the Smile Club BAR, the Garrison BAR, Al Norte PUB, and La Panera Rosa.
Other important projects in Uruguay featuring FBT include Bodega Garzón, Teatro Moviecenter, and Punta Carretas Shopping.
Gerardo Hernández stated that “the companies have always worked together from the start. FBT, being a family business, supports the growth of LucesPro, understanding that the Uruguayan market is small and highly competitive in terms of product offerings and prices.”
“In this post-Covid phase, we are faced with factory order backlogs and raw material shortages, which cause delays in orders. FBT’s delivery times are really fast, and that is an advantage given the situation our competitors are experiencing. In our region, not all projects are planned with much lead time, or simply don’t have the time to wait, but we are slowly increasing stock to provide short-term solutions,” Hernández continued.
“Luigi Paoloni, FBT’s export manager, is our direct communication channel with the factory, always with a good disposition, trying to solve problems and collaborating with information on new products. We met at the last trade shows, and it’s always a pleasure to chat with him due to his experience in the international market. Without a doubt, Luigi is an important part of LucesPro and FBT’s growth in Uruguay,” concluded Gerardo Hernández.
FBT’s vision and technology have played a crucial role in the success of audio in the world of permanent installations, making Pavilion Vik a beacon of excellence in the sound systems that shape the AV industry.
LucesPro contributed with its invaluable experience in bringing together the meticulous design and execution of audio architecture. A highly trained team of design and installation engineers, led by Gerardo Hernández, demonstrated their deep knowledge and experience in designing audio systems dedicated to entertainment and social and corporate events, which undoubtedly raised the bar for professional sound system integration in Uruguay. Pavilion Vik stands as a testament to the kind of brilliance that can be achieved when innovation, expertise, and dedication converge in one place; FBT quality.
