PID supplied 1500 25mm square VersaPixels, a VersaDRIVE C1 driver and a, Pharos LPC1 architectural lighting controller for the project, which was co-ordinated for them by Sam Douglas.
PID also designed and manufactured custom steel mounting brackets for the VersaPixels which are installed in the room's ceiling panels, and created 17 special clips of digital content, working to a brief from Indigo's Paul Nulty and gym staff.
The content includes athletic-themed figures running, skipping and rowing, a heart trace graphic equalizer effect etc., plus a selection of more ambient, 'mood' style clips like clouds and flocks of flying birds.
Paul Nulty's brief from project managers Logitek was to transform the former car parking space in the building's basement into a vibrant, funky, inspirational relaxation and work-out area for staff. He, PID and a team from Bennett's Interior Design all collaborated to help achieve this.
Indigo has designed both pixilated video screens and gymnasium lighting schemes before, but this is the first time that Nulty has fully integrated a large digital lighting effect into one of his designs in this way.
The installation process was co-ordinated for PID by lead engineer Rob Smith and Sam Douglas.
The 1,500 VersaPixels are controlled from a VersaDrive C1 controller. The C1 is connected to 11 PSUBB units, connected and addressed via a six- pin Element Labs data cable leading back to a number of Pharos PHUB32s each of which connects to up to 32 VersaPixels.
The video content is stored on the VersaDrive C1 which is then triggered by the Pharos architectural control unit, which was timeline programmed to fit the gym's opening hours.
In charge of content was PID's Digital services manager Nev Bull using After Effects. The design team saw an initial preview, fed back comments and then a final list was agreed upon. Each clip is tailored to suit the pixel pitch of the screen, offering a wide variety of visuals.
PID's David March says: "Developing the concept with Paul and the design teams and being involved in the entire process, right from mock-up to completion, has been very rewarding for us."
(Jim Evans)
