It can now be revealed that Renkus-Heinz’s Iconyx Compact ICC12/3 loudspeakers have been installed in Portland International Airport (PDX), in Oregon, in the US, during a major multi-phase modernisation project. The speakers, central to the ambitious PDX Next initiative, had to be installed on custom-designed “integrated technology poles” because of the building’s architecture.
The installation of the Renkus-Heinz speakers was completed in August 2024 as part of the project’s first phase. The main terminal’s overhaul serves as the centrepiece of the vision. Designed with an emphasis on openness and natural elements, the new terminal features soaring wooden ceilings, abundant daylight, and locally sourced materials, all reflecting Oregon’s outdoor ethos.
But the open-concept design presented significant challenges for audio design. Without conventional walls or ceilings to house traditional sound systems, the project team had to think innovatively to meet the airport’s stringent requirements for coverage, clarity, and aesthetic integration.
PAE – a firm involved in the project since 2013 – collaborated with the global engineering consultancy Arup to address these challenges. Together, they selected Renkus-Heinz’s Iconyx Compact Series ICC12/3 loudspeakers.
The team then custom-designed the integrated technology poles, which are modular structures that house multiple technologies. In addition to the Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers, the poles incorporate fire alarm coverage, cameras, lighting, Wi-Fi access points, and more.
Each pole was manufactured from 100 percent metal and designed to be rotatable for precise alignment. Pre-fabricated off-site, the poles were delivered fully assembled, allowing for efficient installation with minimal disruption.
Prior to installation, the team conducted extensive testing, including a full-scale mock-up of the poles in an airplane hangar.
Ryan Lalum, senior associate at PAE, said: “The biggest challenge was the lack of walls or ceilings to mount equipment. The open design of the terminal was intended to mimic the outdoors, with no traditional infrastructure to conceal speakers. This required us to develop an innovative solution: the integrated technology poles. Every access point and coverage area was modelled in the design phase to ensure seamless installation on-site.
“The modular design not only supports current needs but also offers flexibility for future expansions or reconfigurations. The decision to use Renkus-Heinz Iconyx Compact loudspeakers was driven by the brand’s reputation for reliability, advanced beam-steering technology, and superior audio quality.
“Renkus-Heinz’s beam-steering arrays provided the large coverage patterns and tight dispersion we needed. This allowed us to direct sound precisely where it was required, minimising interference and ensuring intelligibility.”
The modernisation of PDX is far from complete. Additional integrated technology poles and Renkus-Heinz speakers will be installed as the project progresses, ensuring audio coverage across the entire terminal.
