Creative Technology Systems Integrations (CT SI), working with Pophouse Entertainment, has supplied and installed a large quantity of AV for Space, a digital culture centre located in the heart of Stockholm. Technology includes LCD screens and media servers in the gaming section, high-end screens in the co-working area, and a ceiling-mounted, 23m by 7m, 4mm pixel pitch Samsung LED display array, configured as an upside-down ‘U’, situated in the entrance area.
Created especially for the digital generation, Space combines the key ingredients of digital culture – gaming, music, content creation and digital knowhow – all under one roof. With more than 400 gaming stations, a state-of-the-art event arena to host traditional and hybrid events, and creative areas spread across the multi-floor, 8,000m2 building, Space is a ‘go-to’ hub for collaboration and innovation. .
The Samsung LED screen required four weeks intensive planning and installation, and its position required the flexible playout system of a Watchout media server, which handles rotating graphics for the individual LED panels.
“The idea for the entrance is to instantly attract attention and show visitors what Space is all about,” said Fredrik Lyckman, senior technical advisor at CT. “The spectacular LED screen has certainly helped to achieve this. The response has been extremely positive, with visitors immediately blown away by the captivating visuals on the ceiling.
“As the centre was open to the public during installation, we started work early in the morning and needed to finish in time for when the first visitors arrived in the afternoon,” explained Lyckman, senior technical advisor at CT, who was involved throughout the project. “First, we installed a specially constructed steel frame and then attached the LED panels to it. We also had to consider the building’s sprinkler system, which required eight gaps to be left between the panels – something that in the end turned out to be a successful design concept.”
For meetings and events, the arena has enough room to host a 550-capacity live audience. It can hold one or two events a day, and has already proven a hit with Space customers booking the venue for their events, including the FIFA eChampionship league Finals 2022 and Stockholm 50. Here, CT SI supplied a massive audio and lighting rig along with a 19m by 5m 8K curved LED screen, which is one of the highest resolution screens in Northern Europe. An L-Acoustics PA system and a powerful lighting rig created an “unmatched audio-visual experience” for the on-site audience. The entire set-up is connected to a Crestron system which can trigger functions via devices such as iPhones.
“The beauty of the installed system is that it makes the arena fully prepared for virtual and hybrid events, with a brand-new control room equipped with the latest broadcast technologies,” added Lyckman.
The co-working area, located across three floors, has both open lounge-like office landscapes and traditional meeting rooms, again with technology installed by CT SI. Here, guests are able rent a workplace for a day, a week, a month, or longer.
“The entire team at our Swedish offices was involved in this project one way or another,” concluded Lyckman. “It was great to work with the entirety of our in-house expertise – there was always someone to support you in whatever area it was needed in. Together, we came up with the best solutions and Pophouse Entertainment, the client and Space visitors are delighted with the result.”
