This project once again saw close collaboration between the PID team, Paula Reason and Desmond Harte of London-based designers Cadmium Design and Grosvenor Casino's Senior Project Manager, Paul Taylor.
It follows a similar installation in Manchester last year. Here, Cadmium's first LED ceiling above the main bar area proved so popular with clients and staff and to be such a great atmosphere enhancer, that the concept has now become a design feature of operator Grosvenor's new 'G' brand. G Casinos present a stylishly designed modern environment, aimed at attracting a younger demographic.
Cadmium's Paula Reason explains that their brief was to take, "the magic, the history and the WOW factor of Freemont Street, Las Vegas, and apply it in a contemporary setting that was easier to maintain and programme and relatively energy efficient".
VersaPixel's distributed architecture gives designers complete freedom over pixel shape and placement - including intricate 3-D arrangements - and so it was ideal for the elliptical ceiling in Luton.
Each G venue will vary depending on the building, the available ceiling height and the overall space configurations. Luton differs from Manchester where the overall bar area is circular. The elliptical shape "has a greater impact as there are longer and easier sight lines onto the ceilings" says Reason. The Luton bar installation also includes a reflective mirror and beaded curtains at one end which reflect the ceiling and the light back into the space, also simultaneously magnifying the effect. The bar is also closer to the venue's main entrance in Luton than in Manchester, so its impact is very immediate and direct.
PID co-ordinated the VersaPixel installation process with Leisure Installation Services (LIS), including pixel stuffing over 300 ceiling tiles that arrived with pre-cut holes, all needing to be fitted with VersaPixels.
The VersaPixel cables and driver boards were installed first, followed by the ceiling, after which the bar was constructed underneath, an operation needing tight co-ordination. Once the bar was in place, PID commissioned and programmed up the system.
Content was created by PID to a brief from Cadmium and then programmed into two Element Labs C1 controllers. These are triggered locally by a Pulsar Masterpiece replay panel on the wall, giving staff the option of calling up three standard static colours or three different speed chases.PID's David March says: "It was fantastic to be working with Grosvenor Casinos again. Paul Taylor is very open to using technology in new contexts, Cadmium has produced a great design and feel for the space. Everything has run really seamlessly with all parties working together."
(Chris Henry)
