m e d i a   b a n d

In the original designs, the studio was wrapped with a continuous 150 foot long, 6 foot high curving band "floating" 10 feet above the floor. Known as the "media band", it was to have a collage of video art, back-lit images and front-lit graphics along its length. When it was determined that the ceiling was not able to support the weight of the construction necessary to create the collage, another solution was required.

The big picture studies exposed the prominence of this element and therefore, it had to be well done. We evaluated the merits of front lighting, backlighting and "glowing" various media types to find a solution that gave us the best visual impact and also addressed the differing ceiling conditions along the length of the band. After much debate and many mockups[view mockup 1 - click here] [view mockup 2 - click here], it became clear that backlit images provided the right feel for the space and also allowed for a consistent lighting treatment for each segment.

By this time, we were looking at creating the entire media band out of the light box treatment with the boxes being around 6 feet high and 8 feet long. The research into the light box idea revealed that standard metal backed and Plexiglas-faced light boxes at that size were still a weight issue for the ceiling. So a method of creating a lightweight "self-illuminated" system was needed. The answer to all these problems was digital printing technology, which allows images to be printed directly on various fabrics.

Conceptually designed and engineered by Sepp Spenlinhauer and built by Moss Fabrics, the finished product is light enough to be handled by one person and supported by the ceiling.

The final “media band” consisted of 10 units. Each unit has a triangular, wedge-shaped aluminum frame, 8 feet long, 5 feet high and 18 inches wide at the top, with a zip-on fabric skin which is internally lit with a 2-lamp fluorescent strip. [view computer rendering - click here] Re-lamping is done by simply unzipping the face graphic for access to the light fixture. Lamp image is mitigated by a flame-proof diffuser that hangs inside [view diffuser - click here] the wedge with a custom-cut pattern to allow for more light to reach the bottom of the unit.

The graphics are changed or cleaned simply by unzipping the face and replacing it with a new one. The client is very happy with the finished result, and the original concept of the "floating" band remains evident in the final product. [view store - click here]

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