Float4, an award-winning multidisciplinary studio that integrates digital experiences in physical spaces, has joined forces with Electrosonic, a leading international audiovisual and technology services company, to create eight accessible multimedia exhibits for View Boston, Massachusetts.
View Boston is a new observatory on top of the Prudential Tower, a key landmark on the city’s skyline. In addition to providing visitors with an extraordinary panoramic view across the city, the 59,000-square-foot experience offers a personalized and one-of-a-kind trip through the vibrant culture and rich heritage of the area.
A fresh perspective
Together with JRA, part of RWS Global, Float4 and Electrosonic created, produced, and delivered eight innovative interactive multimedia exhibits for View Boston. The project scope also included a data-driven microsite, a bespoke content management system, and an easy-to-use audio guide.
In addition to serving as the main storytelling tools, the exhibits were intended to improve the typical observation deck experience, allow visitors to see Boston from previously unseen angles and create custom itineraries that highlight the city’s must-see destinations.
The ViewPrint microsite, which elegantly connects all aspects of the experience, is one of the project’s primary elements. Visitors can quickly scan and save landmarks they come across on their View Boston experience to their individual ViewPrint itinerary using their digital or printed tickets.
The eight exhibits aim to fascinate and engage audiences at every turn. When visitors arrive, they first encounter the Pre-Show which presents the ViewPrint microsite. They then enter the lifts and are enveloped in the sounds and sights of the Elevator Up display, which builds their excitement for the upcoming experience and the view from the top.
Sharing Boston’s rich history
When they reach the 52nd floor, guests can explore the neighbourhoods of Boston through the Virtual Viewers, which offer panoramic views which have been digitally enhanced together with information which is presented using vibrant graphics and an interactive interface.
Ten tactile sculptures of significant Boston landmarks have been designed and produced by FrankNDesign and the model’s table created by Chicago Scenic. These pieces enable visitors with low vision to enhance their ViewPrint by interacting with and scanning the models.
On the 50th floor, the interactive Explore Boston exhibit includes 14 LED touch screens that encourage visitors to learn about the city’s unique history through more than 350 landmarks and points of interest. The Explore Boston exhibits include interactive activities designed especially for children.
Acclaimed illustrator and graphic novelist Pascal Blanchet has created a series of posters which celebrate 12 iconic Boston landmarks. These were chosen from the neighbouring theatre, and highlight the cinematographic elements of the Theater Poster installations.
When guests scan their tickets at the Finale Kiosks, they are given a customised nickname and their own curated ViewPrint itinerary. This is generated by a bespoke recommendation algorithm that organises sites of interest based on proximity, popularity, and landmark picks. Scanning a ticket also triggers generative content on the Finale Mosaic Wall, including an animation for each visitor’s nickname as well as images taken at the 52nd-floor selfie station.
The View Boston tour comes to an end with the Elevator Down experience. As visitors descend, a surround sound composition will evoke a sense that they are stepping into a familiar, yet new, city.
Unforgettable experiences
Float4 was also commissioned to create the View Boston Audio Guide. The Audio Guide contains 21 chapters that provide tourists with fresh viewpoints and one-of-a-kind city experiences, delivered through multimedia presentations, interactive displays, and panoramic tours of Boston’s skyline.
Alexandre Simionescu, Float4 CEO, says: “View Boston is a testament to our mission of augmenting our tangible surroundings with digital interventions. We are proud to have collaborated with the View Boston team to create an experience that allows visitors to explore Boston’s rich history and create their own journey. We believe that interactive media exhibits have the power to transform traditional spaces into dynamic, memorable destinations.”
Ewan Smith, CEO at Electrosonic, adds: “We blend architecture, storytelling and technology to create unforgettable human experiences and View Boston is the latest world-class example of the integration of these elements. Throughout the entire project we worked closely with View Boston, Float4, FrankNDesign, JRA, Nanolumens and many other partners, continuing to push the boundaries of technology to create compelling immersive experiences.”
Lastly, in partnership with Electrosonic, Float4 developed, produced, and integrated three additional works for the visitors’ Entry Experience. These exhibits enrich the ticketing area and create an immersive setting for visitors before they enter View Boston.
At the entrance of the Prudential Center, an LED Wallscape introduces visitors to the View Boston experience with amazing imagery. The View Boston Box Office’s Concourse Pillar LCD and Kiosk Overhead LED displays, then use engaging visuals to provide visitor information such as opening hours and ticket prices.
Float4 recently shared details of its work on a major retail concept for a leading luxury department store chain, The Carousel at Bloomingdale’s.
Meanwhile, Electrosonic has celebrated the first anniversary of its Technology Partner Program, which has grown to represent 15 member organisations.
Images kind courtesy of Float4, Electrosonic & Nanolumens
