Pavilion of possibility
Kraftwerk Living Technologies supplies innovative, interactive AV to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai by Martin Palicki
T
he giant monolith sticking out of the ground at a 24-degree angle is a beacon, drawing visitors closer. In addition to being visually arresting, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Pavilion houses a suite of immersive technologies, shatters several world records and is one of only a handful of legacy buildings slated to remain beyond closing day at Expo 2020 Dubai (October 1, 2021-March 31, 2022). Designed by Boris Micka Associates, the building’s architecture beckons people into the pavilion, but it’s the technology that keeps them engaged. Kraftwerk Living Technologies (KLT) performed the role of AV integrator and was responsible for the design of all the pavilion’s audiovisual systems from concept to completion. KLT Middle East Managing Director and KSA Pavilion Operations Manager Stuart Taylor was proud of not only the design of the AV systems, but their reliability as well. “We were very thoughtful in the technology we chose,” says Taylor. “We relied on our experience and put equipment through rigorous testing during the design phase.” According to Taylor, the building’s AV systems are controlled by the Brainsalt server system, in partnership with Crestron. All media content, tracking and auto-alignment of projectors
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is handled by Brainsalt servers. Over 30 media servers are used throughout the pavilion.
Outside wonders Plaza Square, located below the angled building and adjacent to the KSA Pavilion entrance, provides an outdoor experience for visitors to the pavilion. This area boasts two Guinness World Records that KLT was directly involved in:
• Largest interactive LED lighting display (7,798 RGB LED •
lights with IR technology utilizing tracking cameras to respond to movement from people walking above) Largest mirrored LED screen (directly angled above the LED floor is a 1,302.5 square-meter LED screen behind a glass mirror; the effect allows reflections from the LED floor to blend with images behind the mirror)
Plaza Square also serves as a location for cultural events and dances. KLT helped integrate into the building a special AV system to support these special events. Around the edges of the mirrored LED screen a channel houses the sound system and 24 Robe I-pointe intelligent light fixtures, built on a customengineered frame that moves the lights out of view when not being used.
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