Pacific Visions: an innovative immersive AV environment at the Aquarium of the Pacific

The expansion of this facility, including an innovative theatre and multiple interactive installations, It is an example of technological integration with systems from multiple companies with the aim of creating a unique experience for the viewer.

Located in Long Beach, California, the Aquarium of the Pacific (Aquarium of the Pacific) is the headquarters of Pacific Visions, A new facility that expands this iconic center to offer other cultural and entertainment possibilities

This innovative two-story structure, of 2.694 m2 each, has been designed by the architecture firm EHDD of San Francisco, to offer its visitors a unique immersive experience that includes a theater, multiple interactive art installations and multimedia displays.

Jerry R. Schubel, President and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific, explains that "we have taken an innovative and unconventional path with Pacific Visions. Instead of focusing on larger exhibits and more spectacular animals, The new wing focuses attention on the one species on our planet that is changing the future of all others: human beings. Pacific Visions is the culmination of more than a decade of planning, in which we challenge visitors to examine the human impact on our ocean planet and to participate in innovations to reduce it.".

To design and technologically equip Pacific Visions' main theater, with capacity for three hundred seats, The aquarium managers turned to the integrator Edwards Technologies and the manufacturer of audio systems Renkus-Heinz, among many other companies.

"When we talk about the benefits, we all agreed that we needed to use the right technology to make this space truly immersive," recalls Brian Edwards, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Edwards Technologies.

Inside the main theater, This company integrated four PT-RQ22K 4K laser projectors from Panasonic, with 21.000 central lumens each: three located on the main screen and one on the floor. Signals are delivered with an Infinity-4-3600 media server 7thsensedesign.

The projection screen, provided by Strong/MDI, Has 42,6 meters wide by 97,5 high and curved in a semicircle 22 meters in diameter. The AV system also includes live production switchers Blackmagic Design ATEM and a console to support special events, along with an entertainment control processor Medialon Showmaster LE & Other SMP Streaming Media 111 of Extron.

"The ability to integrate screens that wrap around a room and cover more of the viewer's visual range adds to the immersive component," Edwards said. Add additional screens, such as those located on the ground, provides even greater coverage".

Immersive sound

Another critical component to achieving this immersive experience is the audio system. The theater's sound installation features multiple Renkus-Heinz products, Including 29 ICLive X Series Speakers from this manufacturer.

ICLive X is a flexible and scalable solution for precise sound positioning in a space. The high-power, digitally addressable assemblies can be arranged in combinations of up to twelve cabinets in height and feature Rhaon II beam steering and control.

The facility also features nine Renkus-Heinz speakers from its C-Series, an audio processor QSC of the Q-SYS Core model 510 and an audio mixer Yamaha QL-1.

"It's important to recognize how everything is connected and integrated," Edwards said. We often focus on just audio or video when we do AV integration, But this installation is a good example of the use of all the components of what we see, Hear, We feel and experience. All, even the effects of aromas and atmospheric components are part of the AV system in this type of integration".

Other articles about 7thSense Design, Aquarium of the Pacific, Blackmagic, Edwards Technologies, EHDD, Extron, Extron Electronics, Medialon, Pacific Visions, Panasonic, QSC, Renkus-Heinz, Strong MDI, Yamaha