Baylor University's Hurd Welcome Center is the first impression many receive upon arrival at Waco, Texas campus. Recently renovated, the space boasts a blend of technology, including 4 PIXERA one servers, and immersive experiences, making a lasting impression on current and prospective students, staff, alumni, and visitors. Working in partnership with Electrosonic, who led AV integration, Populous, the architect for the space, and RLMG, who developed and created the content, the Hurd Center showcases Baylor’s ethos through four towering columns, all powered by their own PIXERA one. Each column is dedicated to a unique theme: Reflect, Connect, Aspire, and Amplify.

As visitors step into the Reflect Column, they are enveloped in an immersive kaleidoscope experience. Mirrors lining the walls create mesmerizing reflections, while a rear-projection screen above showcases dynamic videos highlighting iconic campus scenes. LED light strips harmonize with the changing content, enhancing the immersive ambiance. The Connect Column plunges visitors into the heart of Baylor's community spirit with a 360-degree screen that surrounds them with the energy of campus life, from the fervor of sports events to the vibrancy of cultural performances.

In the Aspire Column, visitors are encouraged to reflect on their unique aspirations. Then, by scanning an RFID badge, students witness their name and aspirations elegantly spiral up a towering LED ribbon, symbolizing their potential journey at Baylor.

The Amplify Column celebrates Baylor's global impact through the journeys of its alumni. An overhead LED hemisphere showcases captivating videos and motion graphics, illustrating the far-reaching influence of a Baylor education. Greg Sperick from RLMG continues, “I can’t imagine trying to accomplish what we did at the Hurd Center without AV Stumpfl’sPIXERA one media servers. As part of this project, the PIXERA team developed a custom renderer that would transform media on-the-fly to play correctly on the LED hemisphere. It just worked on day one.”

Considering all four Pillars, Ryan Poe, Director of Technology Solutions at Electrosonic, says: “Utilizing AV Stumpfl’s cutting-edge PIXERA one media server and the robust functionality of PIXERA control, our team worked alongside Populous, RLMG and Xibitz to successfully craft an extraordinary experience that captivates both students and visitors.” The implementation of these immersive experiences presented several challenges, including the integration of specialty LED, video, audio, and lighting technologies within towering cylindrical spaces with restricted access. However, through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, the teams successfully overcame these obstacles, ensuring seamless integration and operation of the installations. RLMG’s Greg Sperick adds: “We did run into an odd issue in the field, where messages went missing inexplicably somewhere in the data pipeline. Within two hours, we had great support from AV Stumpfl engineers on the phone troubleshooting with us.“

Baylor University's Hurd Welcome Center stands as a testament to the power of immersive technology in creating memorable and meaningful experiences. Through the Reflect, Connect, Aspire, and Amplify columns, visitors are not only welcomed into the Baylor community but also inspired to embrace its values and aspirations. By seamlessly integrating technology and storytelling, the Center resonates with both current and prospective students, embodying Baylor's commitment to innovation, engagement, and global impact.

Links:
AV Stumpl: avstumpfl.com 
PIXERA: pixera.one
Baylor University: www.baylor.edu/
RLMG: rlmg.com/
Populours: populous.com/
Electrosonic: www.electrosonic.com/