Vantaan Energy in Finland has constructed an interactive and immersive visitor experience centre as part of its recent waste-to-energy plant development. The visitor centre includes interactive exhibits and scale models that help visitors understand the waste to energy process. The centre also has an AV installation featuring large screen displays and Genelec 4000 Series loudspeakers.
The plant is located close to Helsinki and will be processing mixed waste collected from Uusimaa, a region that includes the capital of Finland, as well as Vantaa and surrounding areas. The result is that the plant will produce half of the district heating and 30% of the electricity needed in Vantaa.
Helsinki-based design practice Muotohiomo installed the scale model design and interiors and worked closely with Genelec and Starlike, Finland’s largest solutions provider for AV and event technology. The aim was to create an installation that would be versatile enough to meet the demands of large and small groups, as well as background and ambient music for presentations.
A special feature of the visitor centre is the ‘geodesic dome’ that is hung from the ceiling of the centre. The dome was conceived when a party of children went on a school trip to the visitor centre and suggested an immersive audio experience to complement the visual elements.
Muotohiomo commissioned Estonian composer Mait Juriano to create the audio experience based on the sounds created by the waste to energy process with Genelec 4030 active loudspeakers mounted inside. The dome has a diameter of five metres and is made up of 75 triangular felt shapes manufactured from recycled plastic bottles.
The 4000 Series models installed on the project include the compact size 4010s, the 4030s and the larger 4040s alongside the F Two subwoofer. The 4000 Series also include an integrated amplifier for improved audio performance and ease of installation.
