Laying Out Blueprints with LED Video Technology in Mind
Implementing LED technology and video walls is becoming the norm in new building projects as current structures are already customizing the technology to fit their space. Creating architecture with digital technology in mind will only help capitalizes on the digital opportunity.
Implementing LED technology and video walls is becoming the norm in new building projects as current structures are already customizing the technology to fit their space. Creating architecture with digital technology in mind will only help capitalizes on the digital opportunity.
LED technology and video walls are increasingly becoming commonplace in today’s world. Digital billboards along roadways, teleconference video screens, digital banners in storefronts, digital screens at the front of houses of worship, massive screens in sports stadiums, street furniture along sidewalks, and the list goes on.
With all the possibilities, those responsible for crafting and designing buildings and cityscapes are taking to their careers with the idea of digital LED technology in the back of their mind. Technology can be added to their creations at any time – especially early in the design phase. Planning ahead for the technology will only help bring their creations to life intentionally and not as an afterthought.
It’s not to say, of course, that LED technology can’t be added to the architecture of existing buildings. This is currently happening all over the world. Planning for the technology will simply put architects and designers ahead of the curve.
For examples of how LED displays and video walls can be added in the shopping center space, here’s a look at what Cadillac Fairview (CF) has done with seven of their properties. CF – one of the largest owners, operators and developers of best-in-class office retail and mixed-use properties in North America – turned to Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, USA, to design, manufacture and install 14 LED displays totaling 307 square meters of active digital space.
Starting on the exterior of CF’s Toronto Eaton Centre, Daktronics installed a 3.3-meters-high by 5.2-meters-wide LED display featuring 10-millimeter line spacing. It features a convex curvature above the entry as it faces the street to provide advertising to passersby. Matching the building’s character was a key element of the project and the curved element pulled everything together for a cohesive architectural presentation.
A similar exterior display was installed at CF Chinook Centre at the corner of their building. It is curved and positioned at an angle on the corner of the building for mass appeal above the main entrance. This display measures 3.3 meters high by 5.1 meters wide and features 10-millimeter line spacing.
Stepping inside these shopping centers, the LED technology really shows versatility in its usage from atriums to walkways to elevator shafts. Sticking with CF Chinook Centre, the main atrium of the mall features a pair of curved displays working together to provide an ambiance that is enticing to shoppers.
The circular atrium features 360-degree digital signage as one display measures 1.6 meters high by 22.8 meters wide and the other measures 1.6 meters high by 23.1 meters wide. Both feature 6-millimeter line spacing and are mounted to the support structure between floors so people can view the displays from above or below.
CF caters to the architecture of their shopping centers by adding these digital screens to their locations in a tasteful way that also capitalizes on their advertising opportunities. This includes covering elevator shafts with LED displays that face large atriums at CF Fairview Mall and CF Markville Mall.
At Fairview Mall, the elevator faces a two-story atrium on one side and the second story of the mall on the other. To maximize the use of space, CF installed a 2.7-meters-high by 2.4-meters-wide display above the elevator entrance on the second story to face the open area on that level. On the atrium side, a 7.9-meters-high by 2.7-meters-wide display covers the elevator shaft and creates a dynamic digital presence.
At Markville Mall, a similar installation covers the elevator shaft. This elevator is located on the edge of the atrium with two sides prominently facing the open, two-story gathering area. Above the elevator entrance on one side, a 5.5-meters-high by 2.7-meters-wide LED display faces the atrium. On the adjacent side of the elevator, a 5.5-meters-high by 2.1-meters-wide display helps create an appealing atmosphere for the shopping center.
Moving to larger walkways, CF Carrefour Laval installed two display mounted above the walkway to appeal to those passing by. One display measures 4.8 meters high by 9.1 meters wide while the other measures 2.4 meters high by 9.1 meters wide. CF Sherway Gardens also installed a display in this application measuring 5.2 meters high by 8.5 meters wide.
These displays feature 6-millimeter line spacing as they are located higher and further from shoppers. Getting closer to the shoppers’ level, CF Rideau Centre features at display directly above a lower walkway. The LED technology features 4-millimeter line spacing and measures .9 meters high by 4.9 meters wide.
“We’re excited about the opportunities these displays provide for sharing premium content within our shopping centers,” said Jodi Clare, Director of Partnerships and Marketing for CF. “The addition of these displays not only evolves our advertising capabilities but ultimately changes the face of our properties, and we could not be more please with the final result.”
Knowing the benefits of LED technology for CF, engineering and designing architecture with digital displays in mind should be at the forefront of upcoming projects to help maximize their potential.
LED technology and video walls are increasingly becoming commonplace in today’s world. Digital billboards along roadways, teleconference video screens, digital banners in storefronts, digital screens at the front of houses of worship, massive screens in sports stadiums, street furniture along sidewalks, and the list goes on.
With all the possibilities, those responsible for crafting and designing buildings and cityscapes are taking to their careers with the idea of digital LED technology in the back of their mind. Technology can be added to their creations at any time – especially early in the design phase. Planning ahead for the technology will only help bring their creations to life intentionally and not as an afterthought.
It’s not to say, of course, that LED technology can’t be added to the architecture of existing buildings. This is currently happening all over the world. Planning for the technology will simply put architects and designers ahead of the curve.
For examples of how LED displays and video walls can be added in the shopping center space, here’s a look at what Cadillac Fairview (CF) has done with seven of their properties. CF – one of the largest owners, operators and developers of best-in-class office retail and mixed-use properties in North America – turned to Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, USA, to design, manufacture and install 14 LED displays totaling 307 square meters of active digital space.
Starting on the exterior of CF’s Toronto Eaton Centre, Daktronics installed a 3.3-meters-high by 5.2-meters-wide LED display featuring 10-millimeter line spacing. It features a convex curvature above the entry as it faces the street to provide advertising to passersby. Matching the building’s character was a key element of the project and the curved element pulled everything together for a cohesive architectural presentation.
A similar exterior display was installed at CF Chinook Centre at the corner of their building. It is curved and positioned at an angle on the corner of the building for mass appeal above the main entrance. This display measures 3.3 meters high by 5.1 meters wide and features 10-millimeter line spacing.
Stepping inside these shopping centers, the LED technology really shows versatility in its usage from atriums to walkways to elevator shafts. Sticking with CF Chinook Centre, the main atrium of the mall features a pair of curved displays working together to provide an ambiance that is enticing to shoppers.
The circular atrium features 360-degree digital signage as one display measures 1.6 meters high by 22.8 meters wide and the other measures 1.6 meters high by 23.1 meters wide. Both feature 6-millimeter line spacing and are mounted to the support structure between floors so people can view the displays from above or below.
CF caters to the architecture of their shopping centers by adding these digital screens to their locations in a tasteful way that also capitalizes on their advertising opportunities. This includes covering elevator shafts with LED displays that face large atriums at CF Fairview Mall and CF Markville Mall.
At Fairview Mall, the elevator faces a two-story atrium on one side and the second story of the mall on the other. To maximize the use of space, CF installed a 2.7-meters-high by 2.4-meters-wide display above the elevator entrance on the second story to face the open area on that level. On the atrium side, a 7.9-meters-high by 2.7-meters-wide display covers the elevator shaft and creates a dynamic digital presence.
At Markville Mall, a similar installation covers the elevator shaft. This elevator is located on the edge of the atrium with two sides prominently facing the open, two-story gathering area. Above the elevator entrance on one side, a 5.5-meters-high by 2.7-meters-wide LED display faces the atrium. On the adjacent side of the elevator, a 5.5-meters-high by 2.1-meters-wide display helps create an appealing atmosphere for the shopping center.
Moving to larger walkways, CF Carrefour Laval installed two display mounted above the walkway to appeal to those passing by. One display measures 4.8 meters high by 9.1 meters wide while the other measures 2.4 meters high by 9.1 meters wide. CF Sherway Gardens also installed a display in this application measuring 5.2 meters high by 8.5 meters wide.
These displays feature 6-millimeter line spacing as they are located higher and further from shoppers. Getting closer to the shoppers’ level, CF Rideau Centre features at display directly above a lower walkway. The LED technology features 4-millimeter line spacing and measures .9 meters high by 4.9 meters wide.
“We’re excited about the opportunities these displays provide for sharing premium content within our shopping centers,” said Jodi Clare, Director of Partnerships and Marketing for CF. “The addition of these displays not only evolves our advertising capabilities but ultimately changes the face of our properties, and we could not be more please with the final result.”
Knowing the benefits of LED technology for CF, engineering and designing architecture with digital displays in mind should be at the forefront of upcoming projects to help maximize their potential.
