The Globe: Interactive Installation at AT&T Discovery District
Float4 produced the interactive content of the Globe sculpture, a 30ft tall immersive audio-visual experience that’s part of the new AT&T Discovery District located in downtown Dallas, TX. Global architecture and design firm Gensler spearheaded the AT&T Discovery District project, of which the Globe, is a part. Inspired by the AT&T logo, visitors may enter the structure composed of 15 custom-designed steel ribs embedded with more than 300,000 high-brightness color LEDs and sound capabilities while a polished outer shell reflects the surrounding campus.
The Challenge
The challenge consisted of three elements: the content, the canvas, and the pre-visualization.
Firstly, the goal was to create a central art piece that will belong to the city of Dallas and that people will experience across generations therefore the architectural and digital content aspects had to be designed and delivered in a way that ensured its longevity.
Secondly, the digital canvas on which we had to display the content was truly one of a kind. Because the surfaces of the 30ft tall sculpture were curved and the shape was irregular, a linear mapping of the content would not work. A complex remapping was necessary to make it look natural and to navigate the interactivity smoothly while working within the limits of the sensor detection quality.
Finally, in normal circumstances the pre-visualization consists of testing the look of the content before integrating it within The Globe structure using a pre-rendered version of it. However, for this project, the content was dependent on the metrics from the sensors. Furthermore, with an irregular canvas like this one, there is much blurriness, light, diffusion, and irregularities to consider. So, we had to build a custom tool that allowed us to overcome these challenges.
Project Vision
The Globe was envisioned as a sculptural centerpiece; a beacon pulsing with energy at the heart of the new AT&T Discovery District that connects visitors with the brand, the location and each other in a joyful and exciting way.
Courtesy of Gensler
Courtesy of Gensler
Courtesy of Gensler
Design + Execution
The vision was achieved through the design and production of an inclusive multi-sensory immersive experience with generative and responsive visual & audio effects that create unique moments for each visitor. And since the Globe is active year-round, its content was also designed to be inviting when idle and customizable to special events like concerts and performances.
Global architecture and design firm Gensler led the Globe project, leading the design and creative direction, Float4 oversaw the execution, production, and delivery of the interactive and generative content capsules and Made Music Studio produced the original soundscape.
Project Details
Design Team
Float4
Collaborators
Gensler (architecture, design & creative direction), Float4 (interactive digital content production), Made Music Studio (immersive sound design), Electrosonic (technology design)
Photo Credits
Photo & video courtesy of Gensler
Open Date
June 2021