Since its opening on the 18th December 2013, the new Stonehenge exhibition and visitor centre has welcomed over 50,000 visitors. The centre makes dramatic use of high resolution projection technology to help visitors learn about one of the world's most important prehistoric monuments. Electrosonic was responsible for the audio-visual systems design and integration.
The centre, located 1.5 miles from Stonehenge itself, is the first phase of English Heritage's £27-million project to transform the visitor experience of this iconic site. To date, it is their largest ever capital investment project.
The visitor centre uses audio-visual technology extensively to give visitors an enthralling introduction to the legend of the stones, exploring the history and debate surrounding this ancient monument. One of the main highlights is the 'Standing in the Stones' exhibit, a 360-degree virtual experience. Installed by Electrosonic, the exhibit lets visitors stand in a virtual Stonehenge as it is today and in the past. The three-minute film, based on state-of-the-art laser scan images of the stone circle, transports viewers back in time through the millennia, enabling them to experience the summer and winter solstices.
Robert Campbell, Head of Interpretation at Stonehenge, says, "Electrosonic brought a can-do attitude to this complex and high profile project. This was essential in getting the exhibition open on time and working well."
An exhibit like 'Standing in the Stones' requires great care in execution. An important part of its development was the ability to preview it in a full scale mock-up at Electrosonic's workshop at its head office in Kent. This procedure helped the producers, Centre Screen Productions, assisted by Studio Liddell, check the content at full size, whilst ensuring English Heritage could be confident in the outcome and be aware of audience circulation issues.
"Standing in the Stones" uses six Panasonic PT-DZ770 single chip DLP(tm) projectors with 1920?1200 resolution and nominal 7000 lumen light output. These are sourced from a 7th Sense Delta server via Atlona extenders. The audio chain includes a BSS BLU 100 DSP, four Crown CTs600 amplifiers and seven Tannoy Di5 loudspeakers augmented by a ceiling mounted sub bass loudspeaker.
Visitors move from 'Standing in the Stones' into the next exhibition area housing more audio-visual elements. The 'Meaning' section includes four portrait format 32-inch LCDs showing a linear programme on the debate around the 'Meaning of Stonehenge'. 'Landscape' the largest audio-visual element, is a giant image of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site projected onto a wall screen which shows how people changed the over the pre-historic period by building different monuments. The exhibit uses three Panasonic PT-DX610ELKsingle chip DLP(tm) projectors with XGA resolution and nominal 6500 lumen output sourced from a 7the Sense Delta server via Atlona extenders.
The visitor centre also contains an education space which is equipped with appropriate room control and audio-visual facilities. The space can be divided into two, one half has a ceiling mounted Panasonic VW435NEA LCD projector with WXGA resolution, and the other half has an 87-inch Smartboard touch screen. Room control is by a Crestron MC2E controller and wall panels allow the connection of "Bring Your Own" sources.
Haley Sharpe Design managed the production of the exhibition, with The Hub as exhibition fit-out contractor and Goppion as the supplier of the display cases. 'Standing in the Stones' was produced by Centre Screen productions, assisted by Studio Liddell and with a sound track by Peter Key. The content for the "Meaning" displays, the LCDs within the display cases and for the ticket office audio guide was produced by ISO Design, and the "Landscape" content was produced by Squint Opera.
Electrosonic engineered the AV system under a direct contract with English Heritage.
About Electrosonic
Electrosonic, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is an international audio-visual company that creates tailored, state-of-the-art solutions for a wide range of markets including theme parks, museums, control rooms, and corporate meeting rooms. Since its founding in 1964, Electrosonic has built a strong reputation for working on complex projects, both large and small, and has developed lasting partnerships with customers and suppliers. Beyond complete integrated systems, Electrosonic provides a comprehensive scope of services including technical design, projector lamp sales, maintenance and operational support.
Learn more about Electrosonic. Visit http://www.electrosonic.com
