CHALLENGE:

Western Sydney University knew it wanted best-in-class technology and design for its new vertical campus in Sydney, Australia’s Perramatta Precinct, but wasn’t quite sure how to transform their vision into reality. Located in the geographic center of the city, WSU’s new vertical campus was to consist of a 14-story tower that would host thousands of students every day. “The students who study at this new campus will find themselves immersed in one of Australia’s most technologically advanced learning environments,” Kerry Holling, WSU Chief Information and Digital Officer, said. “The campus is a hub of interactive, personalized and networked technologies that are designed to enhance every aspect of the learning experience. It was only fitting that the building’s main lobby feature an information display that is as compelling as the technologies featured throughout the rest of the building.”

The building’s atrium features a dramatic, curved wall right behind the reception area. The original design called for a custom-built digital display that could serve as an eye-catching visual for communicating university news and events, as well as a showcase for students’ work. But the architects did not want a faceted, “fake” curve display, so the idea was temporarily scuttled. That is, until the university was introduced to NanoLumens.

SOLUTION:

Informing and engaging students with campus news and events might seem quite a challenge for many LED display manufacturers, but the A/V consultants at Digital Place Solutions (DPS) were confident that NanoLumens would have just the right solution to meet such a challenge. The result, according to Digital Place Solutions Managing Director, Stephen Rubie, is a stunning NanoLumens ‘true curved’ 4.7mm pixel pitch LED display that flexibly wraps around a curved central wall in the new university campus hub.

The curved NanoLumens display sits directly behind the campus’s information desk and was formed perfectly to fit the architect’s original vision. The display is precisely constructed to match the curve of the wall, delivering the architect’s vision of seamlessly showcasing dynamic images. The display actually curves past 90-degrees, back into an acute angle, allowing exceptional off-axis viewing and colorimetry of the display. The silent display uses low amounts of energy emits very little heat, so the receptionists sitting in front of it are comfortable all day.

RESULTS:

Western Sydney University’s new vertical campus is now the technological epicenter of a larger (AU) $2-billion Parramatta Square urban re-development program that will, upon completion, be a blueprint for smart city technology and the benchmark for future development in Parramatta City. “The university and the architects are thrilled with the result,” Holling said.

PRODUCTS USED:

The special NanoLumens true-curve LED chosen is 4.7mm pitch. The 25’W X 5’H (7.5m X 1.5m) display wraps around a very tight radius, weighs only 749 pounds (350 Kg), is a mere 4-inches deep (100mm), and requires only 2x15 amp circuits to power it. “The entire installation only took three days to complete,” Rubie continued, “and because the display generates so little heat, there was no need to install fans or special ventilation. In fact, people sit all day directly in front of the display.”