Changi Airport in Singapore recently unveiled its latest attraction: Terminal 2 which now boasts an immersive experience across two multimedia installations, named Digital Sky and Wonderfall.
The installations were created by multimedia studio Moment Factory, in close collaboration with the design studio BOIFFILS Architectures, and implemented by systems integrators Electronics & Engineering (Wonderfall) and Electro-Acoustics Systems (Digital Sky). Moment Factory also designed the soundscape of both installations and a K-array system was chosen to provide sound reinforcement.
The Digital Sky, an overhead LED installation above the airport’s airside Dreamscape Garden, required an audio system to create a natural soundscape as visitors move through the space. The soundscape is procedurally generative, meaning that instead of arranging the soundscape on a timeline, it is generated in Audiokinetic Wwise software using a weighted random algorithm. The sound can be modified by changing certain parameters and values in real-time to trigger changes in the density and mix of all its layers. These parameters can also be controlled via an Unreal Engine capsule to respond to changes in the time of day and local weather conditions.
On the other hand, the Wonderfall is a landmark feature of the Terminal 2 Departure Hall. Here, a four-story digital waterfall, measuring 18 metres wide and 14 metres high, displays an array of waterfall imagery on a 34.4-megapixel LED wall.
Both installations required sound systems that would blend into the space whilst providing high-quality, lifelike soundscapes. K-array’s IP64-certified loudspeakers were selected to be installed as these loudspeakers performed well in the presence of water and humidity.
The Wonderfall required considerable audio reinforcement as between ambient interludes, the LED screen displays a 3-and-a-half-minute show consisting of an immersive waterfall animation set to a bespoke piano composition by composer Jean-Michel Blais. Here, the systems integrators opted for a system based around K-array’s Vyper series loudspeakers. These ultra-flat line arrays create minimal visual impact due to their sleek design.
19 Vyper units are supported by two equally slimline Kobra line array elements and four mid-size Domino units. The addition of four, metre-long Python loudspeakers, each with twelve closely spaced 3.15” neodymium magnet woofers, ensures maximum throw and reproduction of the entire vocal range. These loudspeakers are mounted on the surrounding living wall of foliage to ensure minimal visual distraction. Four Rumble subwoofers take care of the low-end frequencies, integrated below the wall, whilst a total of 16 metres of Anakonda ultra-flexible loudspeaker units were deployed. The system is driven by five of K-array’s own Kommander KA84 amplifiers, providing powerful DSP and integration with the QSC control system.
Airside, the Digital Sky at Changi Airport’s Dreamscape enjoys audio through K-array’s Vyper, Kobra and Domino loudspeakers. 19 Vyper units ensure consistent audio coverage, reinforced by six Kobra and eight Domino loudspeakers. Audio playback across the Dreamscape and the Wonderfall is handled via Delta Media Server Infinity by 7th Sense.