ABOUT THE SPATIAL HOLODECK
Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference exhibits cutting-edge innovation and creativity through technology, culture, and music; showcasing brands who aim to connect people. Spatial embarked on a unique mission to provide guests the experience of the full power of immersive sound at The Sunset Room with The Spatial Holodeck SXSW activation.
The activation, designed and fabricated by Pink Sparrow, set out to bridge a multitude of spaces that took visitors on a sonic journey powered by Spatial’s technology. By introducing three-dimensional, interactive soundscapes, Spatial and their partners redefined immersive experiences and provided an audio world unheard anywhere else. Guests were surrounded by 360-degree immersive audio as they explored scenes from around the world and learned about Spatial technology throughout; guided demonstrations, a sonic listening lounge, hands-on opportunities with Spatial Studio, and a stage for panel programming. The Spatial Holodeck partnered with arts and entertainment collective Meow Wolf, who designed a pop-up exhibit that took guests through an experiential journey with interactive moments within the Spatial Holodeck.
Harmonizing Design and Audio
The Spatial team aimed to create an activation that seamlessly integrated speakers and supporting technology with its physical design. Anticipating a diverse audience at their largest SXSW activation to date, Spatial faced tight deadlines: just 90 days for preparation and only four days for construction. With multiple areas in a 3,700 square foot venue and acoustic challenges like 14-foot ceilings with exposed ductwork, maintaining audio quality was critical. To ensure high-quality sound throughout the activation, Spatial partnered with Felix Media Solutions, renowned for their professional, creative, and technical expertise in realizing client visions.
Transforming Spaces:
The Fusion of Design and Sound
With Spatial, design principles are no longer a concern. Spaces can now be designed with visual and audio intent in mind all while keeping the aesthetic and acoustic value of spaces at the highest priority. The Spatial Holodeck proved that by working with Sonance and Felix Media Solutions, seamless, custom and flawless integration can be accomplished Time only became an obstacle, not an inhibitor.
Integration began offsite at the Pink Sparrow warehouse in LA, where Sonance speakers were installed into pre- constructed frames that were then shipped to Austin while Felix Media Solutions began installing Sonance speaker wire runs into the venue’s activation spaces in anticipation of the panels’ arrival and installing ceiling-mounted speakers and subwoofers. Both teams worked together to build connection boxes that were designed to meet the pre-arrival runs Felix Media Solutions installed in the venue, allowing for a seamless transition between the work done in Los Angeles and that done in Austin as activation components arrived and were assembled.
Navigating Tight Timelines: Felix Media Solutions
The team at Felix Media Solutions wanted to ensure that they integrated evenly balanced sound that was not only acoustically tuned, but would also enable a truly experiential environment. Spatial had a very specific vision and high expectations of partnering with the best in technology, audiovisual, and IT. Felix Media Solutions understood the pre-work integration and preparation that went into a complex commercial activation. With a very short timeline and a very strict project management schedule, the team at Felix Media Solutions was able to install over 179 channels throughout the 3,700 square foot activation as well as the exterior pop-up with Meow Wolf.
BUSINESS IMPACT
A combination of over 32 speakers were installed in the 20” x 20” room to fill the space with rich, detailed bass frequencies. This install consisted of numerous James Loudspeaker PD62-4 Pendants, Sonance Mariner 56, Impact i12, and PS-S210- SUBT Subs in the ceiling. The entryway to the Guided Demo consisted of 20 speakers. 18 Sonance AS38S In-Wall speakers with two James Loudspeaker PD62-4 Pendants. This 20' x 10' walkway enveloped the room with soft content, and was a well-received auditory warm up to the Guided Demo.