The US$20bn endowment behind the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia places it among the most well-funded universities in the world, with a remit to ‘serve the people of the Kingdom and benefit all the peoples of the world’. The Museum of Science & Technology in Islam (MOSTI) was created later, on the same campus to highlight the of contributions made by Muslim scholars to science and technology during the first Golden Age of Islam (650-1650) and demonstrate how these contributions shaped the world as we know it.

Looking to use interactive technology to lead visitors through the exhibits, MOSTI called in formula D_, an experienced design company that specialises in impactful visitor experiences, for the technological curation of the site, and to Stage Audio Works (SAW) to help specify, supply and integrate the equipment. RenderHeads Limited created all the custom-made software used in the exhibits.

‘We’re grateful that formula D_ brought us in on such a prestigious project,’ explains SAW CTO, Nathan Ihlenfeldt. ‘We’ve built up a strong working relationship with them over the course of a few projects as we deliver very complementary services. For MOSTI, they took the lead with the interactive and immersive vision, and we helped to materialise it from a technical perspective.’

The last time the space had been renovated was in 2009, so it was due an upgrade. Much of the equipment in use carried the hallmark of the analogue age it was borne from. With a large budget to play with, the brief was to completely revamp and build on these foundations to create a guided display with an updated, immersive feel - interactivity was the name of the game. This required a complete overhaul of the video and audio systems, as well as the networked elements.

SAW and formula D_ collaborated to devise a solution across the board. The video element comprised the lion’s share of the integration, including displays of all shapes and sizes. Thirteen Christie laser projectors were implemented throughout the museum. These are driven by Christie’s Pandoras Box media server; a turnkey solution with a versatile render engine that facilitates projection onto any surface. This is used for some of the larger interactive exhibits, including an object theatre zone, where three projectors deliver a multi-screen immersive experience. Another key attraction is a 10m display closet.

‘Previously, the interactive element was supported by touch foils situated behind the glass, which were technically limiting and unsightly,’ explains Ihlenfeldt. ‘We replaced this with a laser scanner that picks up multiple touchpoints across the cabinet, which works far better.’

Additionally, almost 40 Iiyama touchscreens were installed throughout the space to provide tactile interaction for formula D’s bespoke set designs. Each kiosk is supported by its own Lenovo P330 workstation that pushes the envelope with its ultra-compact design. ‘We’re particularly proud of the design of the server racks,’ Ihlenfeldt says.

Specialising in bespoke solutions, RenderHeads wrote all the software used for the kiosks with a custom content management system. Taking the custom route allowed the company to optimise the apps to work with the PCs, ensuring fast, responsive content. The system’s CMS was designed to facilitate easy content changes for future exhibits, with flexibility and scalability being a major consideration. SAW installed numerous GPI connections to tie in various physical elements for the exhibits, including lighting and headsets for guided tours.

SAW also devised the audio system to match the video. For the primary directional loudspeakers, several Genelec 4430As were selected, plus a 7360A subwoofer for low-end support. Genelec’s Smart IP technology helps to streamline the installation, with PoE technology drastically reducing the cabling required for a more aesthetic result. They integrate within a Dante AoIP network so that each loudspeaker can be configured remotely and separately if required. A couple of the directional loudspeakers were re-purposed after being upgraded to be Dante compatible. The entire system is managed via a Q-Sys system, with Netgear switches handling the audio and video distribution across the network.

‘Together we’ve delivered a complete audiovisual overhaul that has helped reimagine the museum’s approach to storytelling using more interactive and impactful methods,’ says Michael Wolf, founder and CEO at formula D_. ‘It’s always reassuring to have SAW on call for support, should anything go awry. We’re confident that the system will be able to scale to meet any demands future installations might bring, whether that be new software or hardware.’

‘Overall, KAUST MOSTI was a very successful installation,’ Ihlenfeldt agrees. ‘Aside from some unavoidable delays caused by Covid-19 restrictions, everything went to plan, from the design stage through to the implementation and maintenance. We’re looking forward to what the future holds for our foray into the Middle East.’

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