First opened in 2001, Planetarium Schwaz in Tyrol, Austria, entertained guests with shows about space and the stars for almost two decades. However, technology was advancing during that time, and it became evident that the attraction had to evolve. Operator Axel Krieger envisioned a new experience with a convertible 360-degree dome, opening up a more comprehensive range of presentation options. Following a refurbishment project, the attraction reopened in 2023, having been transformed into Your Dome, a brand-new type of flexible edutainment venue.
Your Dome is no longer a planetarium; it’s now an immersive experience designed to captivate guests from the moment they step foot inside. Speaking to blooloop, Krieger shares insights into what makes Your Dome a unique attraction. We also talk to Ronald Potgieter and Lei Yin of Endurescreens, a specialist in designing, manufacturing and installing world-class projection screens, about the innovative Micro–Pro Screen product installed as part of the revamp.
A vision transformed: from planetarium to Your Dome
Your Dome, says Krieger, is a special place, with a vibrant energy:
“At Your Dome, we don’t just offer shows; we create moments. Our focus is not only on having cool shows in the dome. We want to create moments throughout the whole visit for our guests.
“It’s very important to create emotion everywhere in Your Dome. This is not only in the dome theatre itself, but the venue goes on to create emotion everywhere. That is why people come back two or three times. The focus is on having an excellent guest experience throughout, from walking through the entrance to seeing a show in the dome to visiting the café and the gift shop; everything should work.”
He also emphasises the importance of personal interaction, recalling instances where staff went the extra mile to capture family moments through photography, ensuring every member feels included—a testament to their commitment to guest satisfaction.
Potgieter adds:
“The unique thing about Your Dome is that it’s so versatile. It’s no longer limited to planetarium-style shows; they can now offer many types of entertainment. That’s where it stands out compared to other venues. It goes far beyond what a standard planetarium can offer because of the changes made to the system.”
Technology evolves
With decades of experience in the planetarium business, Krieger has witnessed the evolution of technology first-hand, from the use of star projector to modern full dome solutions:
“For me, it was exciting to see the possibilities that full dome systems offered. Stars are beautiful, and astronomy is fascinating, but we have a responsibility to utilise the dome’s full potential.”
This vision led to the transformation of the traditional planetarium into Your Dome—a venue offering diverse experiences beyond astronomy, from music shows to educational programmes.
Now, visitors can enjoy 360-degree presentations that allow an immersion into other worlds, with popular shows such as Habitat Earth, Aurora, Bébé Symphonique or A Cosmic Journey. And, with a newly installed stage, the hall can also be quickly transformed into a space for live acts and presentations.
Unveiling cutting-edge AV technology
Central to Your Dome’s success is its state-of-the-art technology, provided by Kraftwerk Living Technologies (KLT), a leading-edge AV systems integrator, and Endurescreens.
“The combination of the KLT system and the Micro Pro screen gives us a really exciting picture in the dome and the possibility to use it in many different ways,” explains Krieger. “We also have an Unreal Engine, allowing us to create new content quickly.
“How we produce shows is now straightforward; it has changed totally. In former times, I needed a technical guy for the star projector and the slide projectors, for all these different techniques. Now, that is all so easy. We can concentrate on creating the content, not working the technology, which frees us up to make more exciting content.”
He adds that the secret is that all technology is hidden, leaving only the guest experience.
The Micro Pro screen
“The Micro Pro screen transforms the dome into an immersive canvas, delivering visuals akin to IMAX,” says Krieger. “Working with Endurescreens was a collaboration from the first second. Their expertise and dedication were instrumental in realising our vision.”
This partnership has allowed Your Dome to deliver unparalleled visual experiences, captivating guests and leaving a lasting impression.
Your Dome is the first Endurescreen’s Micro Pro screen installation in Europe, following a successful project with Shanghai Observatory in China. What makes MicroPro exceptional is its ultra-fine perforation at 0.8 millimetres, allowing for unparalleled image quality, as Potgieter explains:
“Most screens have a perforation of 1.5 millimetres. With holes less than a millimetre in size, the Micro Pro screen, paired with high-resolution projectors, delivers a high-definition picture unmatched by traditional screens. That means you can get a very, very detailed image.
“Previously, on a bigger screen, you could use a bigger pixel, which is the size of each block. If you have a 1.5-pixel and 1.5-millimetre hole, you protect straight through a hole. So, your pixels are restricted on the sides. With a 0.8-millimetre hole, you can get a much higher-definition picture.”
Best quality images
This level of detail and clarity creates an immersive experience that captivates audiences, setting a new standard in entertainment technology.
Yin adds:
“The image quality at Your Dome and the Shanghai Observatory is much higher than any other screen I’ve ever seen. Especially for a dome theatre or planetarium environment. For instance, when we look at planetarium shows, this 0.8 perforation can really bring out the contrast. The black image is darker, and the white image is brighter. So, the stars shine so much brighter in the show. This gives the audience the impression that they could reach out and touch it.”
There are many applications for the Micro Pro screen, from dome screens to flying theatres to immersive tunnels:
“It’s a universal product that can bring out the best quality of the images.”
A sustainable solution for Your Dome
In terms of the sustainability and maintenance of the solution, Yin explains:
“The maintenance is basically the same as our standard products; it’s very simple. The surface is powder-coated so operators can clean it easily with a vacuum or use a gentle cleaner if something is spilt on it.”
“When our team is on-site doing the installation and testing, they will also show the client how to maintain the screen. We also provide our clients with extra services, including annual cleaning or check-ups.”
“The maintenance on the screens, particularly the dome screens, is minimal because any screen’s biggest challenge is dust,” says Potgieter. “In a dome scenario, the opportunity for dust to sit on the screen is so low. You can have a screen for five years without having to clean at all, and then because we powder coat our screens, the cleaning and handling is much more durable than previous versions.”
Adapting to challenging installations
One of the biggest challenges that the Endurescreens team faced behind the scenes on the Your Dome project was putting a dome within a dome, says Potgieter:
“It was a challenge to design the system in a way that would have minimal impact on the current structure and give the biggest potential screen possible. We couldn’t get rid of the old screen because it was a gypsum screen, and because we couldn’t destroy it, that meant that we couldn’t find where the supports were ahead of installation.”
“So, we had a lot of meetings, and we had to use our experience to find the best solution. Ultimately, the team’s technical expertise paid off because it was a flawless installation, and all our brackets in concept lined up perfectly.”
Celebrating a successful first year at Your Dome
Reflecting on the inaugural year at Your Dome, Krieger expresses satisfaction with the positive reception:
“We’ve seen repeat visits and glowing reviews, which is a testament to our ability to exceed expectations.”
Despite initial challenges in conveying the transformation from a traditional planetarium to Your Dome, Axel notes a growing recognition—a sign that they’re on the right track. A new passport offer shows that people are coming back for repeat visits. This is something that was unusual in its previous form as a planetarium:
“People are coming back twice or three times. We made a passport that says that if you visit four shows, the fifth show is free. We introduced that in February and already have 250 full passports returned.”
An ideal showcase
For the Endurescreens team, the new attraction serves as an ideal showcase of what the Micro Pro screen can do:
“Ronald and I were both there for the opening, and I was there again in November last year, so we’ve seen several shows. We’ve even had some industry professionals visit the Your Dome project, and everybody was impressed. We’ve had some nice conversations with the participants there, and they told me they want the same thing—a screen that looks just like this.”
“We enjoy the fact that we can take new potential clients there to show them what our products can do,” says Potgieter. “Having a client like Axel give us access back to a screen that we can showcase to clients is so valuable. It’s difficult for us just to show images to a client. If we have a physical screen and an accommodating client, we can take them and show them the product in action.”
“The public also really liked it; the comments I have seen were all five-star reviews,” adds Yin. “People are wowed. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.”
For Endurescreens, this was just one of many successful collaborations with KLT.
“They are one of our biggest clients, so we often consult them on product development, asking how to improve ourselves,” says Yin. “We know they are pleased with our products, and we have been working with them for about ten years.”
“We’re always getting good feedback from our clients, whether the operators or the system integrators,” adds Potgieter. “We pride ourselves on providing the best service, screens, and after-sales service. It’s not just selling a product and walking away. We often go back to previous clients like Axel, see how things are going, and touch base with them. It’s a community.
“You can’t just do a one-and-done and walk away. It’s so important to keep your relationships open with all types of clients, such as system integrators, AV installers, and projection system integrators. We have to be in the know.”
A vision for the future: expanding horizons at Your Dome
Looking ahead, Axel Krieger envisions taking the Your Dome experience global, sharing: “We aim to create similar immersive venues worldwide.”
With a winning formula of cutting-edge technology, unparalleled hospitality, and diverse programming, Your Dome is poised to redefine the entertainment landscape on a global scale.
Finally, Krieger extends gratitude to partners KLT and Endurescreens:
“Their collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence have been pivotal in bringing my vision to life.”
Your Dome in Tirol stands as a testament to innovation and creativity in the realm of entertainment. Focusing on creating unforgettable moments and embracing the latest technological advancements, Axel Krieger and his team have set a new standard for immersive experiences, shaping the future of entertainment tourism.
