Portland State University wanted to create a high-tech collaboration space for its students, researchers, and community stakeholders to come together. The space would be used to work on a variety of projects that link data sets, visualization, and decisions.
In order for the room to achieve its main purpose, it needed to have large visuals, powerful computing, robust video conferencing and a modular environment. The new space, dubbed the Decision Theater, originally was going to have a multi-panel video wall installed, but the concern was that the video wall would be great for large groups, but wouldn’t be conducive to individuals or small groups working separately in the room.
Eventually, PSU decided to use InFocus Mondopads to create the video wall because they can be used together to display one large image, but can also be used separately for smaller groups without losing any of their desired functions.
InFocus Mondopads, which are essentially large tablets, include features such as a touchscreen interface, camera, speaker bar, extensive connectivity, and the ability to be integrated into existing AV systems.
Photo courtesy Portland State University.
In total, PSU used seven Mondopads in the Decision Theater. Three 1080p 80-inch Mondopads are tiled across the front of the room with the ability to display multiple smaller images or one giant image. Another four 1080p 70-inch Mondopads were placed on the remaining three walls to create group huddle spaces. The three 80-inch Mondopads at the front of the classroom can also be broken apart to create seven separate all-in-one displays.
Each Mondopad has a multi-touch high definition display and comes with a built-in Windows PC and a full version of Microsoft Office. The large screen can also become a digital interactive whiteboard, has document annotation, and allows users to share, view, and control the screen from a tablet or smartphone.
Business-class video conferencing allows PSU students and researchers to connect with individuals across the country. While on a video call, the work being presented, such as design plans, can be drawn on top of and annotated.
The full Mondopad product line stretches from 57-inch screens up to 85-inch screens.
Photo courtesy Portland State University.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
'Flexible' building designed to physically respond to the environment
The ecoFLEX project, designed by a team from Shepley Bulfinch, has won a prestigious 2009 Unbuilt Architecture Design Award from the Boston Society of Architects. EcoFLEX features heat-sensitive assemblies composed of a series of bi-material strips. The assemblies’ form modulate with the temperature to create varying levels of shading and wind shielding, flexing when heated to block sunlight and contracting when cooled to allow breezes to pass through the screen.
| Aug 11, 2010
New book provides energy efficiency guidance for hotels
Recommendations on achieving 30% energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in the newly published Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging. The energy savings guidance for design of new hotels provides a first step toward achieving a net-zero-energy building.
| Aug 11, 2010
Pella Corporation ranks highest in customer satisfaction
Pella Corporation has earned the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” for the third year in a row.
| Aug 11, 2010
Perkins+Will master plans Vedanta University teaching hospital in India
Working together with the Anil Agarwal Foundation, Perkins+Will developed the master plan for the Medical Precinct of a new teaching hospital in a remote section of Puri, Orissa, India. The hospital is part of an ambitious plan to develop this rural area into a global center of education and healthcare that would be on par with Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford.
| Aug 11, 2010
Burt Hill, HOK top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest university design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 University Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
PBK, DLR Group among nation's largest K-12 school design firms, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 75 K-12 School Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
