Christie HS Series 1DLP laser projectors have been installed to illuminate major bridges along the scenic Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, making them come alive at night with content that enhances the city’s aesthetic appeal. The initiative is a cornerstone of the municipal government’s vision to enhance the allure of this famous waterway, including its cultural heritage.
Over 30 Christie DWU15-HS laser projectors are used to illuminate Jiangning Road Bridge and Gonghe New Road Bridge, two magnificent structures along the meandering Suzhou Creek. Eight projectors are discreetly installed beneath Jiangning Road Bridge to project the dramatic images spanning 53 metres (174 feet) in length and 18 metres (59 feet) in width.
Additionally, two dozen DWU15-HS projectors are positioned on both sides underneath Gonghe New Road Bridge, creating captivating visuals measuring 63 metres (207 feet) long and 49 metres (161 feet) wide after nightfall.
Christie’s partner, Shanghai Qingying Digital Technology, played a pivotal role to design and install multimedia solutions that brought this vision to life.
Chao Fu, technical supervisor, Shanghai Qingying Digital Technology, said: “This pioneering project aims to boost tourism and proudly presents Shanghai as a global city that values both its historical heritage and modern advancements.”
He added: “The Christie DWU15-HS projector, with 15,750 lumens, was selected for its compact footprint, durability, and excellent colour reproduction. These attributes have made it the preferred choice for large-scale projections, consistently delivering breathtaking visuals at venues in Shanghai and beyond.”
Fu emphasised the project’s distinctive challenges, navigating tight installation spaces under the bridges while striving for even brightness across extensive projection areas. Innovative approaches like cross-projection and projector stacking played a crucial role in maximising visual impact.
The glossy surface under Jiangning Road Bridge presented a further obstacle with its pronounced reflections. To counter this, the team applied frosted paint, adjusted lenses, and strategically stacked projectors at focal points to ensure uniform brightness. In addition, weatherproof enclosures were utilised to protect the projectors from waterfront humidity.
These solutions successfully tackled the various challenges, enabling the installation and calibration to be completed in just four weeks. “The DWU15-HS, equipped with Christie BoldColor technology, has certainly exceeded expectations,” continued Fu. “Not only did it deliver deeper blacks with more natural and realistic onscreen visuals, the installation process was also simplified with its compact design and versatile omnidirectional capabilities.”
April Qin, senior sales director for China, enterprise, Christie, commented: “The successful completion of this illumination project with our proven HS Series laser projectors underscores their exceptional performance and reliability. Credit goes to the meticulous installation and innovative solutions by the Shanghai Qingying team, which have wonderfully transformed the Suzhou Creek bridges into attractive nighttime landmarks. This collaboration enhances the urban landscape and exemplifies our dedication to advancing projection technology.”
