The principal criteria applied to the judging process were evidence of innovation and company performance, coherent strategies and objectives, capable implementation, the appropriate use of technologies and creative techniques, and - most important of all - evidence that the client and audience needs had been met. Thinktank, said the judges, was a worthy winner because of the scale and complexity of the installation, which makes use of interactive technology and marries AV and IT.
Electrosonic had to manage four simultaneous projects in the build of Thinktank, Birmingham’s new science centre. The centre is on several differently-themed floors (for which content was supplied by different designers) and its fit-out resulted in the installation of over £2,000,000 worth of AV hardware. Electrosonic had to work with the four design companies (RFA, MET, Land Design and Brennan & Whalley) to help implement the AV aspects of their designs. Highlights include a gallery lined with 17 dual screen exhibits and the use of VR headsets. Planning and project management was a major task and involved working with Electrosonic consultants Alan Wilkinson and Graham Wickman. The final installation included 102 interactive computer workstations, scheduling and show control software working over a network, video replay from MPEG-2, complex audio and lighting control systems and both LCD and CRT displays.
(Lee Baldock)
