Electrosonic has provided the audio-visual systems for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
The museum, located in the footprints of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, serves both as a tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 1993 bombing, as well as a place to learn about and reflect on the global significance of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Discussing the challenges in working on the museum, which is primarily located about 70-feet (21-meters) below ground, Electrosonic project manager Jackson Benedict, “This was a very large museum project located several stories underground, which made it a bit of a logistical challenge. The site is spread out over nearly eight acres, so just getting from one side to the other took a long time.”
Electrosonic account executive Bryan Abelowitz explains that full scale models of around 70 percent of the exhibits were needed: “We did a lot of testing with Design & Production near Washington, D.C., Hadley Exhibits in Buffalo and our own facility in Burbank.”
Electrosonic supplied the audio-visual system for the exhibition space which includes around 100 media experiences ranging from touch screen interactives to small theaters and displays playing media. In addition there are recording booths where visitors can record their own 9/11 stories.
We Remember
We Remember is an exhibit featuring the memories of people around the world of September 11, 2001 displayed on six large, vertical screens from Digital Projection projectors with mirror mounts and 16 ceiling-mounted Atlas speakers.
Wall of Faces
The Wall of Faces displays photos of the 2, 983 victims of the attacks; eight interactive tables enable visitors to learn more about them.
Last Column
The Last Column is a 36-foot steel piece from the Twin Towers covered with signatures and remembrances from Ground Zero which can be explored via two 55-inch ELO touch screens.
Rebirth
Timelapse footage of the site captured by film maker Jim Whitaker over a decade is displayed on seven Sharp projectors with a full EAW sound system. Electrosonic tested the audio-visual systems for the room in a full scale copy at their Burbank studios.
Pavilion
Electrosonic provided a full audio-visual system for the 150-seat Pavilion auditorium as well as dedicated control room.
Classrooms
Electrosonic supplies the digital whiteboards, document cameras and video conferencing systems for the four education classrooms at the museum.
Control Rooms
Electrosonic supplied the museum’s three control rooms with a total of 26 equipment racks a mix of fiber optic and twisted pair extenders. Benedict explains, “The fiber and copper backbone we used allows the museum to expand with higher-resolution video or new monitors and projectors as they become available.”
Support
Electrosonic has provided two on-site technicians for ongoing support.