The 2023 Best Project Award was won by El-Ajou, for a high-end board room design in Saudi

El-Ajou was the company who achieved the award for Best project during ISE 2024, as it was considered an example of project management and customization. The result was an astonishing board room where design and technology are wisely combined to create a state-of-the-art solution which perfectly responds to the interior design and architectural needs.23 Arthur Holm DynamicX2Talk retractable monitors were customized by adding a discussion system with a long gooseneck microphone, voting and a loudspeaker integrated in the cover plate. The monitors were finished with a flash of 24 karat gold.The project also included AMX control, video distribution and switching, a Xilica DSP, a Samsung Videowall and a Cisco videoconfence solution.The outcome was considered a perfect fusion of functionality and distinction.

The process

The Ancient Greeks used to mechanically attach gold to other metals through heating metals and placing them together, and then rapidly cooling the combination. This was hammered into shape for statues, books, and many other artifacts. Modern gold plating, called gold electroplating, relies on a chemical process to combine various layers of metal into a solid piece with a layer of gold resting on the surface.
In all gold plating, the parts are polished and cleaned as thoroughly as possible before the electroplating process starts. Gold plating will look uneven and smudged if the surface is dirty, oily, scratched or otherwise damaged.
Modern electroplating begins with the creation of a metal salt using the plating metal, typically gold or silver. These salts are formed when an acid and a base combine and create a neutralization reaction. Metal salts are formed when positively charged ions of a metal are combined with an acid or with a non-metal. This salt is then placed in water and mixed to form the “bath” for our components. And this is what we do to bathe our monitors in 24-karat gold. It is a laborious and delicate process. We start by polishing all the pieces that make up the set, to remove burrs, scratches, and imperfections; This is how we manage to leave the surface as smooth as possible. Next, we apply a high-thickness copper bath to plug pores in the material and to increase the resistance to oxidation.
The next step is to re-polish on copper to smooth out any possible imperfections that may still remain.

Once polished and verified, the parts are degreased to remove residues of polishing paste, greases, organic residues and we leave them ready to give them a nickel bath. After the nickel bath, we check piece by piece to make sure they are fully coated. And finally, we immerse them in a 24-carat gold bath.

The award:

The award was delivered during the Arthur Holm’s rooftop partner event and we hope that the helicopter ride was worth it!