Featuring more than 400 gaming stations, state-of-the-art arena and multiple creative spaces, Creative Technology Systems Integration delivers massive AV infrastructure for world’s largest esports centre

Located in the heart of Stockholm, Space is a digital culture centre created especially for the digital generation that combines the key ingredients of digital culture – gaming, music, content creation and digital knowhow – all under one roof. With more than 400 gaming stations, a state-of-the-art event arena to host traditional and hybrid events, and creative areas spread across the multi-floor, 8,000m2 building, Space is a ‘go-to’ hub for collaboration and innovation. As technical partner to Pophouse Entertainment, in charge of the Space project, Creative Technology Systems Integrations (CT SI) supplied and installed a large quantity of AV technology throughout the centre, including LCD screens and media servers in the gaming section, high-end screens in the co-working area, and a massive AV installation in the event arena.

The awe-inspiring venue captures its visitors’ imaginations at the entrance, with a ceiling mounted, 23m by 7m, 4mm pixel pitch Samsung LED screen, configured as an upside-down ‘U’, delivering stunning visuals.

“As the centre was open to the public during installation, we started work early in the morning and needed to finish in time for when the first visitors arrived in the afternoon,” explains Fredrik Lyckman, Senior Technical Advisor at CT, who was involved throughout the project. “First, we installed a specially constructed steel frame and then attached the LED panels to it. We also had to consider the building’s sprinkler system, which required eight gaps to be left between the panels – something that in the end turned out to be a successful design concept.”

The shere scale of the screen required four weeks intensive planning and installation, and its position required the flexible playout system of a Watchout media server, which handles rotating graphics for the individual LED panels.

“The idea for ​​the entrance is to instantly attract attention and show visitors ​​what Space is all about,” says Lyckman. “The spectacular LED screen has certainly helped to achieve this. The response has been extremely positive, with visitors immediately blown away by the captivating visuals on the ceiling.”

For meetings and events, the arena has enough room to host a 550-capacity live audience. It can hold one or two events a day and has already proven a hit with Space customers booking the venue for their events, including the FIFA eChampionship league Finals 2022 and Stockholm 50. Here, CT SI supplied a massive audio and lighting rig along with a 19m by 5m 8K curved LED screen, which is one of the highest resolution screens in Northern Europe. The L-Acoustics PA system and a powerful lighting rig create an unmatched audio-visual experience for the on-site audience. The entire set-up is connected to a Crestron system which can trigger functions via devices such as iPhones.

“The beauty of the installed system is that it makes the arena fully prepared for virtual and hybrid events, with a brand-new control room equipped with the latest broadcast technologies,” continues Lyckman.

The co-working area, located across three floors, has both open lounge-like office landscapes and traditional meeting rooms, again with technology installed by CT SI. Here, guests are able rent a workplace for a day, a week, a month, or longer.

“Everything with this project is extraordinary,” says Lyckman. “At CT, we are used to delivering premium projects, and with Space we deliver premium on an unprecedented scale – all the way, straight through, down to the smallest detail.”

Lyckman furthers that in such large projects, ambition has to be tempered, but with Space, not a single detail has been compromised. “It has been extremely exciting for us as a supplier to work with this fantastic customer who has relied on us one hundred percent,” he adds.

Even with tight deadlines, the high demands from the client meant only the very best was good enough for Space.

“The challenges mainly revolved around delivery times because of the global situation with production and transportation issues,” Lyckman concludes. “We solved them with a number of innovative solutions, pulling in the resources of other parts of the CT Group to meet the deadlines.

“The entire team at our Swedish offices was involved in this project one way or another. It was great to work with the entirety of our in-house expertise – there was always someone to support you in whatever area it was needed in. Together, we came up with the best solutions and Pophouse Entertainment, the client and Space visitors are delighted with the result.”