Kansas City International Airport (KCI) has undergone a transformative renovation, replacing the original three horseshoe-shaped terminals with a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate the travel experience for millions of passengers annually. This $1.5 billion project marked Kansas City’s largest single infrastructure investment.
Per a case study, the new terminal boasts 39 gates, carefully designed to support the operations of various airlines while offering passengers a seamless travel experience. The Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) focused on creating a visually unified, technologically advanced branding strategy that integrates an intuitive messaging system and streamlined wayfinding for all airlines operating within the check-in and ticketing concourse.
Features of Renovation at KCI Airport
Photo courtesy: Nanolumens
A key feature of this transformation at KCI Airport is the collaborative effort between Nanolumens, provider of LED display technology, and Dimensional Innovations (DI), a design, technology and fabrication company based in Kansas City. Together, they integrated a remarkable visual experience at the airport’s ticketing counters. Nanolumens and DI worked closely with many consultants and architects on this project, with Henderson Engineering and SOM being the most prominent.
One of the most significant challenges addressed in this collaboration included accommodating the fixed structural columns in the terminal. This constraint emerged as a crucial factor for SOM, and Nanolumens was capable of meeting the precise dimensions required for the back ticketing displays. To overcome this challenge, Nanolumens integrated the Nixel Series, which created six Nixel displays ranging from 16 to 6 feet wide, all standing 4 feet high. These sections, known as “Digital Drywall,” spanned the building’s columns with minimal gaps and seamlessly fit into the recessed spaces. This innovative approach provided the smooth and clean environment that the architects envisioned, according to the case study.
A Unique Digital Canvas
This expansive digital canvas allows each airline to prominently showcase its brand, offering dynamic, high-resolution visuals that captivate departing passengers. According to Nanolumens, the display’s color accuracy and resolution features ensure that every brand’s content is presented with unparalleled clarity and vibrancy, creating a consistent and engaging experience for all travelers.
DI had the task of developing a real-time content management system enabling the airport and individual airlines to swiftly modify the displayed information as needed. Powered by Green Hippo and tvONE, this system ensures that each airline’s unique content seamlessly integrates with the overall display, thus providing a personalized experience behind every ticket counter. Whether it’s updating flight information, displaying airline logos or adjusting lane queuing details, the system offers flexibility and ease of use.
Bringing in Nanolumens Nixel Series
The renovation also features various back counter wall elements, with Nanolumens providing additional Nixel Series 2.5mm Pixel Pitch DVLED displays. This installation includes 15 separate videowalls in six different sizes, combining to create a massive digital canvas with over 18 million pixels. These back wall displays empower airlines to boldly present their logos, flight information and other critical updates, further enhancing the passenger experience, says Nanolumens.
In the Arrivals area of KCI Airport, a smaller yet equally impactful Nanolumens Nixel Series 1.5mm DVLED display, measuring 15 feet by 6 feet, adorns the information desk with a rear-tube mounting solution. This offers a clear and concise information to arriving passengers. Nanolumens says its degrees of freedom allowed for precise tailoring of displays to the space, eliminating the need for the space to conform to specific display dimensions. Additionally, 10 Nanolumens 5.9mm Performance Series double-sided displays, each measuring 5.8 feet wide by 3.2 feet tall, have been strategically placed in the curbside check-in area.
Elevating the Passenger Experience at KCI Airport
Photo courtesy: Nanolumens
The team also selected Nanolumens’ Performance Series DVLED displays to align with the architectural parameters of the new terminal, seamlessly integrating with pillars, fascia and other structural elements while providing state-of-the-art technology and longevity. The Performance Series is mounted on custom poles in a flag configuration, further enhancing the passenger experience from the moment they arrive at the airport. These displays ensure that every aspect of the terminal reflects the cutting-edge, visually cohesive design that KCI envisioned for its new era of air travel.
Nanolumens underscores that the renovation of KCI Airport represents a significant enhancement in passenger experience. The airport’s new digital signage not only enhances wayfinding and branding but also reflects the rich local history, flavor and culture of Kansas City, thereby offering travelers a unique and immersive journey from the moment they arrive.
