A museum promising “some of the most original and inspiring uses of new technology seen at any visitor attraction anywhere in the world” has taken a step closer to realisation, with a recent ground-breaking ceremony. The Patricia and Philip Frost Museum of Science, formerly the Miami Science Museum, is set to open in 2015. Independent technology consultancy Visual Acuity has been working on the design and development of the 250,000sqft building’s core technologies for over a year, drawing up specifications for IT networks, WiFi, distributed antennae, ticketing, digital signage and more. “As well as its symbolic significance, the ground- breaking ceremony is important to us because it signals the next phase of the project – the preparation of
technical systems and opening discussions with the technology supply community,” said Blair Parkin, MD of Visual Acuity. A partly open-air structure designed by Grimshaw Architects, the building will be home to science galleries, a learning centre, a planetarium, an energy playground, and a ‘living core’ aquarium and wildlife centre containing a microcosm of South Florida’s animal, fish and plant species. The core design concept is the ‘building as exhibit’, and Grimshaw’s design is a ‘living building’ – one that changes physically and visibly in response to the environment, events and the mood of Miami. “Working together with Grimshaw, our aim is for the building to be fully intelligent, with networked systems that can be operated remotely from anywhere in the building,” explained Parkin.
Picture:Miami Science Museum Also working with Visual
Acuity on the project is Oakland, California-based Teecom, a consultancy that specialises in the creation of built environments that are socially and technologically compelling for the people that use them. As well as a strong emphasis on cutting- edge technology, the building will also have the goal of attaining a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating when the project is complete. “High-performance
ventilation and air- conditioning systems are being designed to provide comfort while using the
minimum amount of energy,” added Parkin, “and the building will be crowned by a vegetated roof.” A newly constructed
wetland is being developed adjacent to the building to ensure efficient control of storm-water runoff and to enhance the biodiversity of the site overall. “We are delighted to be
working with Visual Acuity on the delivery of a building that we believe will take the museum-going experience to a completely new level,” said Gillian Thomas, president and CEO of the museum. www.teecom.comwww.visual-acuity.com
BELGIUM
Strong first half for Barco
Visual display company Barco has posted its financial results for the first half of 2012, showing an increase in orders, sales and earnings compared with the same period last year.
“Barco delivered a solid first-half performance, boosted by second quarter sales growth in all business segments,” said Eric Van Zele, president and CEO. Sales in the period were €531 million, an increase of 8.3%. The company’s entertainment division contributed more than 40% of sales. “To take full advantage of emerging opportunities in mid-market segments and to drive adoption of ‘networked visualisation’ technology across our markets, our priorities in 2012 are to expand our product portfolio and to intensify our sales and marketing activities,” added Van Zele. www.barco.com