In pursuit of eye-catching branded frontage for a newly refurbished building, Raiffeisen Bank of Austria turned to Vivid Effect to create the right combination of architectural, signage and LED experience to achieve its objective. A local architect and installer helped design a 20m by 8m screen for the first floor exterior.
The LED fixtures use DingDotz — individually addressable, low profile, self-contained, color-changing RGB LEDs that are IP66 waterproof containing super-bright Nichia 3-in-1 sealed LED units. With a viewing angle of 120 degrees, the 15mm fixtures radiate in 16.7 million hues. A standard rack-mount Windows PC acts as the master controller, running Vivid Effect's DesignerSuite and FireFly software. The software manages the pixel mapping and contains a media player that plays the videos on the array. X-Node rack mount integrated drivers distribute power and data to the network. Braincell slave controllers run each set of 100 Dotz. The system network architecture allows video and animation to be run at 30 frames per second.
The DingDotz are fitted from behind into a custom horizontal aluminium U-profile section with holes cut out to locate the Dotz. The U-section is then fitted over the main frame and secured with grub screws. Each section of U-profile is 2.5m long and can be removed in minutes for any maintenance requirements. The main supporting frame is made from aluminium and bolted to the exterior of the building.
A light sensor turns the system on and off. As soon as light levels fall below a certain point, the sensor activates auto start-up of the system and conversely auto shutdown or timed shutdown. The custom nature of the design allows the building's occupants to see outside during the day, and at night, the first floor becomes a digital LED screen running the bank's branding and promotions.
For more information, visit www.vivideffect.com.
