Genelec helps explore the history of the port of Rotterdam

At the visitor center portlantis more than 80 speakers 4410 Smart IP de Genelec to create a three-dimensional experience with surround sound that affects each of its floors.

portlantis is a visitor and exhibition center located at the westernmost point of the port of Rotterdam, and Maasvlakte (Netherlands). Opened at the beginning of the year, This educational space invites you to explore the port's hundred years of history, experience your current situation and glimpse the future.

This modern multi-purpose building encompasses five rotating spaces, ideal for school trips, tourists and business meetings. To immerse visitors in the history of the port, the systems integrator Ata Tech BV and the project's sound designer, Danny Weijermans, They selected the speakers 4410 Smart IP de Genelec to deliver surround sound on every floor.

Connected by an atrium 22 meters high, all three exhibition levels house their own individual exhibits for visitors to discover, covering the history of the port, its impact on the economy, as well as its climate neutrality objectives and innovations.

Much more than just a standard exhibition space, Each floor has been designed to attract visitors with touch screens, motion sensors, games, interactive laboratories y augmented and virtual reality experiences. The goal was to integrate all this into a unified audiovisual system, optimizing sound as visitors move through each connected space.

“The goal was to create a three-dimensional experience with sound that allowed you to ‘feel’ instead of just ‘hear’”, explica Weijermans. “I knew from the beginning that the project would need many small speakers on each level instead of a few large ones.”. “This avoids the impression that the sound is coming from a specific direction and creates a more fluid flow between exhibits.”.

Ata Tech has installed more than 80 altavoces Genelec 4410 Smart IP on the three exhibition floors, offering coverage, extraordinary clarity and intelligibility, essential in such a complex space and, often, noisy.

“The acoustic landscape of the center reflects the port environment with sounds like hammers on metal, wind turbines and birds, but also more abstract music that takes you on a journey”, continuous Weijermans. “Los 4410 bring these natural sounds of the port to life, ensuring that visitors feel like they are at the center of the action”.

The building's open central atrium posed its own challenge, since the sound of each individual exhibition had to be integrated into a balanced central soundscape. Together with exhibition designer Kossmanndejong, Weijermans planned the placement of each speaker for optimal directivity, while designing a specific tempo on each floor to create a complete sound in the central space.

“Genelec speakers offer exceptionally natural sound. Even in large spaces, you can experience the port in a vibrant and dynamic way that flows with great beauty. With the advanced technology that is used throughout the center, “The audio unifies everything for a captivating experience”, afirma Weijermans.

Genelec's innovative Smart IP technology simplified the installation process, providing food, audio and speaker management over a single CAT cable using PoE technology. Setup was equally easy thanks to Smart IP Manager software.

Regarding control, las control solutions of Pharos were integrated to create a central control system for all AV outputs, integrating all major technologies into a single system, unified and easy to manage.

Pharos panels are installed at various points in the venue so that staff can access audio controls, video and lighting, including volume, venue announcements and reset options. “If we decide that we need to increase the sound level in a specific plant, we do it in seconds; It is very easy”, añade Aarts.

“The integration allows staff to not only control the sound system, but also directly see the status of the speakers, which allows us to know if they are still connected, issue warnings if necessary, turn on or off the LED indicators and consult relevant information, “everything from one place”, explains Bas Hoksbergen, Pharos Business Development Director.

Since its opening, Portlantis has become a popular destination for tourists, schools and business visitors. The quality and precision of Genelec Smart IP speakers, along with control of Pharos, ensure that the sound, lighting and interactivity are integrated in harmony to tell the story of the port, so visitors can explore the historic port of Rotterdam.