Clemson To Add $10 Million in AV Tech for New Innovation Center

Clemson University's new Watt Family Innovation Center will be outfitted with audiovisual systems designed to enhance learning through immersive scenarios and encourage creative inquiry by allowing students to collaborate with others in different majors to solve problems for companies.

Audiovisual design and consulting company Bright Tree will oversee the $10 million project, which is one quarter of the total budget for the center.

"So many buildings are using older technology and systems designs and calling them new and cutting edge," said David Vargo, principal and audiovisual designer the project for Bright Tree, in a prepared statement. "Clemson University is actually rethinking how AV needs to work in order to provide cutting edge services to their innovation center. When this project is completed, many new buildings and campuses across the country will have them to thank when it comes to how they use technology."

In the center's 200-seat auditorium, students from the university's computing program will be able to show off 3D characters they've created for corporate partners, such as Disney and Dreamworks, with two 4K stereoscopic 3D projectors and 11.1 surround sound.

"Also featured in the center is a full communication studio with a virtual audience projection, online learning labs, distance learning studios, an intense command & control center for proactive monitoring of all systems, touch screen video walls and highly collaborative classrooms and breakout spaces," according to a news release.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

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