From riding the Centennial Wheel at Pier Park to scaling climbing walls, enjoying the restaurants and taking in the view of Lake Michigan, there is a lot to do at Chicago Navy Pier. So the four new portrait mode NanoLumens Engage Series LED displays have their work cut out for them in terms of keeping visitors informed.
[related]“Navy Pier is a world-class entertainment, arts and social destination providing a myriad of activities and experiences for both Chicago locals and tourists.
“That energy and informational moment was created through expressive visuals promoting and inviting visitors to join in the fun while providing a dynamically updated daily activity information feed at entry,” says Jeff Arko, design producer for Gensler, the design firm that oversaw the renovation.
“We wanted to deliver a new welcoming experience that was both present and obvious but one that would not cause any kind of impedance on the journey for visitors from the entryway into the rest of the Chicago Navy Pier experience.”
Among the challenges was providing the spot with a physically obvious solution that wouldn’t dominate the area. AV integration firm Spye delivered the four portrait mode 1.87mm NanoLumens Engage Series LED displays, each measuring 3.94-foot x 7.75-foot and sitting side-by-side at the Pier’s entryway.
© Tom Harris | Courtesy of Gensler
How NanoLumens Engage Series LED Displays Blend into Chicago Navy Pier
“Going with four LED displays for this install allowed us to create some space between each display and not take away from the view into Navy Pier as guests entered,” says NanoLumens regional sales director Ryan Wilhelm.
“The way the four displays are set up also allows for a more artistic look which blends in well with the Pier atmosphere and offers this kind of artistic, Chicago-welcome.”
Wilhelm added that NanoLumens was able to provide the very tight pixel pitch this solution needed as visitors would be viewing the content from up close.
NanoLumens Engage Series displays feature the lowest pixel pitch range of any NanoLumens product — from 0.9mm to 2.5mm — making them the ideal solution for any area where crisp images and close-up viewing are required and NanoLumens Engage Series LED displays are extraordinarily slim and easy to install, offering both front and rear serviceability.
The columns at Chicago Navy Pier can each run content separately or be used as a single canvas with messages that stretch across all four columns. The content is designed to help guests along on their journey through the Pier.
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“We didn’t want the content to force people to linger at the entryway. We wanted it to simply set that stage as they enter,” Arko explained. “The NanoLumens multi-column solution helped achieve this goal.”
“Going with four LED displays for this install allowed us to create some space between each display and not take away from the view into Navy Pier,” says NanoLumens’ Ryan Wilhelm.
From an integration perspective, Spye dealt with a few challenges that went beyond design issues. NanoLumens worked with the integration firm to tackle those issues at the Chicago Navy Pier.
A three-day install accomplished over a big holiday weekend required some helpful collaboration.
“The ease of installation when working with NanoLumens LED displays helped as there were additional challenges that come with working in a very busy public space as a larger renovation was ongoing,” Krumrich said.
“And as they always do, NanoLumens handled the custom size request with no problem and their displays are lightweight and easy to handle. The 6-year Nixel to Pixel warranty was very important to Chicago Navy Pier as well.”
Krumrich concluded, “There was a balance that needed to be struck with this project that included a melding of tech, art and culture. The design of these NanoLumens LED displays enhances the Navy Pier experience and accomplishes the desired blend in a unique and very effective way.”
© Tom Harris | Courtesy of Gensler
