Tech Tours | Integrated Systems Europe 2023

Experiencing integrated systems in action across Barcelona

Across the four days of ISE 2023, six organised tours took visitors behind the scenes of major AV installations in Barcelona.

An expanded programme of Tech Tours will run at ISE 2024.

Discovering the art of Gaudí at Casa Batlló

Antoni Gaudí’s architecture for Casa Batlló, otherwise known as the ‘House of Bones’, so cleverly explores the dialogue between wild nature, light and colour.

Casa Batlló is one the world’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After a 2,000sqm site expansion, Casa Batlló cleverly uses multi-sensory audiovisual technology to open a doorway through a kaleidoscope of individual immersive rooms combining artisanal skills with amazing architecture.

Guests were given a tour of Casa Batlló discovering the multi-award winning Gaudí Cube, Casa Batlló 10D Experience and Gaudí Dome.

"ISE gave us the opportunity to be inspired by Casa Batlló - an extraordinary place where technology is implemented in such a thoughtful and insightful way. It was a really unique experience."

Zaltko Jelacic, Managing Partner, Smart AV, Croatia

“The visit to the Casa Batlló was a perfect blend of history with modern-day technology. The immersive experiences allowed us as participants to experience an extra dimension of the heritage of the great Gaudí. The site was well selected by team ISE, and it was a very well organised visit.”

Mirjam Wouters, Manager ExperienceLab | Philips Research, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

DALÍ : CYBERNETICS at IDEAL Centre d'Arts Digitals de Barcelona

ISE guests stepped into the metaverse to uncover some of Salvador Dali’s dreams and hallucinations that inspired some his most recognisable works such as The Persistence of Memory. During ISE 2023 a group of ISE Tech Tour guests visited DALÍ : CYBERNETICS touring at IDEAL Centre d'Arts Digitals de Barcelona.

They were given a unique insight into the combination of floor-to-ceiling video projections, immersive sound effects, holograms, artificial intelligence and much more.

“A great example of how Catalan companies can create a rich network of artists, content creators and universities taking art to the next frontier of technology advancements. For me, this is unique to Catalan culture. ISE Tech Tours are a great addition to the ISE programme.”

Roc Codo, AV Technician, Barcelona, Spain

Digital Signage Meets Art at Diagonal 123

The Tech Tour of Diagonal 123, an iconic 10,700sqm 'Smart City' office building, covered the objectives and challenges as well as the creation, design and implementation of the 50sqm L-shaped wall and ceiling LED display, office-wide digital signage systems and the creation of 2D and 3D content. Content is personalised with dynamic templates and real-time weather information, directories, services, events and a cultural agenda.

Sleep No More: Gran Teatre del Liceu backstage tour

Behind the lavish interiors and auditorium of the 2,292-seat Gran Teatre del Liceu - the oldest theatre in Barcelona - ISE guests had a preview of the extensive under-stage area, lighting, sound and audiovisual stage technology that’s essential to the venue’s creative repertoire and is usually off-limits to the public. The tour coincided with the first rehearsals for a production of Verdi's opera Macbeth, and guests were given a unique perspective of technology requirements by the set designer and producer.

Liceu+ audiovisual platform: https://liceuplus.com/

“I’m new to the industry. I joined this tour to be inspired. I was blown away by Xavier Sagrera Serrano, Technical Director and his strong passion for his craft and techniques. He gave elaborate explanations of the stage elements, technology and mechanics in place and described how things work in careful detail. I am impressed by the rich history, magnitude and creativity of Gran Teatre del Liceu. It was an unforgettable experience.”

Bent Laporte, Junior Acoustics and AV Consultant, Endes, Belgium

Mirador Torre Glòries and Mediapro Exhibitions

Mediapro Exhibitions defined their big ideas in creating the AV technology behind Mirador torre Glòries. A double observatory is located in the dome on the 30th floor of Mirador torre Glòries in the Poblenou neighbourhood of Barcelona. Different spaces cleverly combine art, technology, big data and scientific information to reveal the city as a living, evolving organism.

The Mirador torre Glòries also has 4,500 LED devices enabling colourful night-time displays.

Guests were then treated to a visit to the Mediapro headquarters located nearby.

“This tour was so cool. The building was amazing and the installations were very imaginative. We could hear about the storytelling and thought processes involved and then about the technology. I also loved that we could visit Mediapro Exhibitions which presented us with VR/AR studios in real-life. It was an unexpected surprise to see how complex this company’s offering is.”

Marcus Redeker, Consultant, Redeker Consulting, Germany

Hola Barcelona – More than just a flight

A technology-focused tour of El Prat Airport revealed the fully digital super-sized signage systems installed throughout the facility, the entry gate for many visitors to Barcelona.

Guests found out about the combination of leisure, technology and communication as well as data management software.

They also learned about business models for brand awareness based on daytime weather or a specific audience, with several real-world examples highlighted.