Educational Environments- Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering

The Tribute Wall is an interactive media experience at the heart of the new Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering

Background

The media experience was intended to both invite and inspire students to become part of the Pacific Northwest’s computing history.

Challenges

The client team asked that the wall of displays gracefully integrate with the building as both an artful architectural media element, yet also come to life with interactive storytelling as visitors approach the massive touch surface.

Solutions

The team utilized code-driven generative visuals to shift between an array of color palettes, motion settings, shapes, lighting effects, and typographic phrases to attract students from across the building. Sensors embedded at the base of the wall identify the user’s presence, triggering shifts in color and the appearance of story “hooks” to encourage touch. Through touch, stories are revealed as curtains of content. They profile the long history of tech innovation in the Pacific NW. Over 100 stories were developed by Belle & Wissell (with an array of contributing content partners). A custom-built content management system was implemented to author, arrange, and publish stories in a variety of layouts. Stories are organized in a series of editions, so a smaller set of featured stories display over time. The option to stream audio stories to the user’s mobile device includes audiences of all abilities.

Results

Through friendly invitation, the experience encourages students to see themselves as part of the progression of school’s legacy—as the next great innovators.

Nominating Company- Belle & Wissell, Co.
Project Name- Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering