Barco is proud to announce that MiStrip has been chosen by world-renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito and Fira 2000 for use in the Fira Barcelona Gran Via exhibition center in Barcelona, Spain.

Ito is known for creating extreme concept buildings, in which he fuses the physical and virtual worlds. His latest design of the Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona runs true to form being based on recurring organic forms where water, natural light, and well-conceived interior illumination all dominate the design.

One of these organic forms can be clearly seen in the design of the vestibule (main entrance), where the façade itself is of curved glass, with organic walls protecting it and a flat upper deck with an architectonic projection jutting from its edges. In keeping to the organic form, Ito also integrated a large circular 360-degree LED display inside the entrance hall. Visible from both ground and first floors (as well as outside), the circular LED display is built out of 2,000 Barco MiStrips.

The MiStrip LED display measures 1.5 meters in height, is 32 meters in diameter and stretches for a circumference of approximately 100 meters. The LED display has a vertical pixel pitch of 13mm and horizontal pitch of 50mm, providing perfect, seamless video reproduction for all new arrivals to the entrance hall.

Fira 2000, who is fully responsible for the administration and execution of the expansion of the grounds of Fira Barcelona at Gran Via, played a key role in the selection of the MiStrip for the project.

The Fira 2000 project manager states, “To create the 360-degree circular design, we needed an LED solution which was flexible enough to be integrated seamlessly into a 360-degree curved form. Because of the small space restrictions, we also needed an LED element that was very slim and front accessible for maintenance purposes. And what’s more, because of its wide viewing angles and high brightness it ended up the perfect choice for the job.”

As well as creating an ambience of nature and reflecting a relaxed mood of nature, the LED display also provides visitors with practical information. Another 500 MiStrips are also integrated into seven other LED displays of various sizes ranging from four to eight square meters at each of the entrances to the pavilion 8.