Europe's largest LED roof is part of Manchester's leisure centre

In the Printworks Center An LED ceiling of one thousand square meters has been installed, covering the inner streets of the enclosure. With more than 10.720.900 pixels and nails 115 meters in length, It allows the environment to be continuously transformed to adapt to different audiences and align with live events and brand activations.

the Manchester Leisure Centre Printworks has undergone a remodeling of 21 million pounds and among the initiatives that have been carried out is the design of a new large LED ceiling. The owner of the center, DTZ Investors, It has created a world of entertainment with a fully immersive and interactive environment, on a scale found nowhere else in the UK.

The centerpiece is a new LED ceiling of 1.000 square meters, defined as the largest in Europe, covering the inner streets of the enclosure. Created by ADI, Specialist in Space Transformation, This innovative multimedia architecture integrates with the lighting, audio and creative content to deliver an experience that evolves from day to night.

With more than 10.720.900 pixels and nails 115 meters in length, the dramatic digital ceiling allows the ambience of the Printworks interior to be continuously transformed to suit different audiences and align with the live events and brand activations taking place.

The screen itself incorporates a new flame retardant LED product developed by ADI to exceed the strictest safety standards. the MTF range, A state-of-the-art lightweight and stylish product, It has been specifically designed with interior architectural applications in mind. After undergoing rigorous fire testing, it is believed to be the only LED module in the world that meets the BSEN classification 13501-1.

“The project has not been without its challenges given its scale and complexity. The digital ceiling is made up of three separate megascreens with unusual shapes and at different heights to integrate seamlessly into the existing architecture. We also had to go through a rigorous R+D process – with intensive testing and prototype design- to develop an LED display product that met the stringent fire resistance requirements for incorporating very large format screens into indoor public spaces”, comments Drew Burrow, Head of tailor-made and creative projects at ADI.

ADI Specified Powerful Media Servers Green Hippo To control video playback, Lighting & Audio, while content scheduling and triggers are managed through an interface SignageLive easy to use.

In line with Printworks' future ambitions, ADI will provide remote production and event relay services through its network Live Venue, that connects more than 90 stadiums and entertainment venues in the UK with their centralised production studios – located in Preston- via dedicated fiber connectivity.

Impactful Creativity

ADI worked in collaboration with the Manchester animation studio, Flipbook, to conceptualize and produce a huge variety of content-based experiences for the roof, From AI-generated animations to heartwarming story-based videos.

Each piece is designed to bring the massive digital canvas to life and evolve the visitor experience, including seasonal extravagances and beautiful atmospheric contents that make the place a must-visit attraction.

“There's almost a hundred pieces of content ready, ranging from live-action filming to advanced 3D animation, through illustrations generated by artificial intelligence and collaborations with international creatives", comments Jim Lynch, creative director of ADI.

More interactive experiences will be added in the coming months. The installation of heatmap cameras throughout the venue will allow public-generated content to appear on the ceiling in real-time, based on the movement and volume of people in Printworks.

ADI has installed around 1.550 square meters of Led ceilings, digital signage and large-format displays on the interior and exterior façade of Printworks.

These include a giant screen of 90 Square meters for interactive games, as well as other new elements, such as Wayfinders and high-end LED tapes, that will engage visitors and enhance their experience, while also supporting tenant commerce.

“This transformation is unprecedented and a game-changer for the UK leisure sector. We've created something unique at Printworks that will continue to entertain domestic and international visitors for years to come. This has only been possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of a great professional team, that has overcome many challenges over the past five years, from inception to delivery", says Ben Haller, by DTZ Investors.

“The general renovation has been designed by the architects of Glasgow CDA and the creative team as a whole has been guided throughout the project by creative director David Fraser, by Harrison:Fraser, Destination Specialists. “This project has been extremely exciting and ambitious given its scale and complexity; We also had the challenges of the global pandemic and the supply chain issues that followed, as well as a bespoke digital roof, the largest in Europe. Despite this,, what we've achieved is a digital destination that isn't usually seen outside of America or Asia”.

The overall refurbishment has been designed by Glasgow architects CDA and the creative team as a whole has been guided throughout the project by creative director David Fraser, by Harrison:Fraser, Destination Specialists. “This project has been extremely exciting and ambitious given its scale and complexity. We also had the challenges of the global pandemic and the supply chain issues that followed, as well as a bespoke digital roof, the largest in Europe. Despite this,, what we've achieved is a digital destination that isn't usually seen outside of America or Asia”.

 

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