Institute of Physics, London, UK
Institute of Physics
01.-
The client
The Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a world-leading, international scientific society with over 50,000 members. Covering 26,000sqft, the building provides accessible education and exhibition facilities for the local community and schools, alongside function and start-up incubator space, and offices to support the operation of the headquarters.
02.-
the brief
Ensure that the IoP was obtaining the best value
Recursive were appointed directly by the IoP to review existing AV and IT designs for the IoP’s new building which had been put together by the client’s incumbent contractor. We were initially appointed to perform a peer review of the designs in order to ensure that the IoP was obtaining the best value and appropriate technology for their anticipated use cases, however this quickly developed into a new design process.
03.-
The challenge
Working closely with staff and scientists
After carrying out a review of an existing design it was clear that the systems being proposed, whilst technically operational, had missed a number of key elements which the client had requested and was also below their expectations in terms of their place in the Institute community. We rapidly worked through a new concept design and presented this back to the IOP team, winning their approval to take this through all of the remaining design stages to installation and commissioning.
In addition to the AV and IT design and consultancy we offered, Recursive were also appointed to create the interactive content for the large video wall at the reception area. Working closely with staff and scientists, we developed the concept of a space-time grid effect. Visitors take the place of black holes, their ‘gravitational pull’ distorting the grid around their eye level. Once a visitor is close enough to the screen, images are displayed within the distorted grid and their content journey begins. Transitioning from big, motion-sensing graphic to discrete, personal touch screen for visitors to make content choices from.
04.-
The Outcome
Everything the IoP needs
The new IoP building in King’s Cross is now a space which incorporates everything the IoP needs from the state of the art venue facilities, modern conference facilities to staff areas and public areas and even a digital gallery space.
05.-
Testimonials
The Institute of Physics has just completed its most ambitious project to date by creating a bespoke destination for physics. The new building showcases sustainability elements and is a building that has public access, gallery and event space. We needed to partner with an organisation that understood our mission and that could help us achieve our goal to make the new building a destination venue. Through a series of reviews, interviews, and sessions with the entire professional team, Recursive AV was able to work with us to realise our aspirations. There were a number of challenges faced along the way, including the physical spaces where installations were required. Through some clever designs, these were met and we now have a building that is modern and where the technology works seamlessly. Recursive has been a partner in creating that real ‘wow’ factor.
Kate Meehan – Managing Director - Institute of Physics