The design and implementation of the 3D mapping show presented several significant technical challenges. Working closely with general contractor Landsky Technology and partners Jingguang Huaxia and Hanhuayong, Barco helped the project team overcome them.

The cooling towers’ complex, double-curved structures required the projected images to align precisely with the architectural surfaces without distortion. The project team used digital modelling to flatten the tower surfaces into precise projection maps and adjusted the source content accordingly. Together with the advanced warping capabilities of Barco’s QDX series, this approach ensured that the projected images aligned seamlessly with the towers’ exterior surfaces.

Covering the full height of the towers while creating a compelling naked-eye 3D effect placed exceptionally high demands on projector performance. The project used 49 QDX-4K45 projectors, each delivering 45,000 ISO lumens. The imagery on each tower was divided into upper, middle, and lower sections for edge blending. In the narrower upper section, two projectors were stacked, while three projectors were stacked in each of the wider middle and lower sections. This configuration delivered an overall illuminance of more than 120 lux.

The site also presented considerable installation challenges, with complex terrain and an overhead railway limiting the available projector positions. The QDX series’ TLD+ lens options and extensive lens shift range enabled more efficient installation and alignment.

Located close to the river, the installation is exposed to heavy summer rainfall, wind, and blowing sand, creating demanding conditions for the equipment. The QDX series features a protective coating on the surface of its mainboard circuitry to help protect against dust and corrosion. This helps minimize the impact of harsh environmental conditions, supporting reliable operation and a long service life.

Titled Landscapes of Western Beijing, Vitality of the Yongding River, the show unfolds across three acts, moving from Shougang’s industrial heritage and the rippling waters of the Yongding River to the city’s ongoing transformation. Together, the three chapters bring renewed nighttime vitality to this former industrial site.

“A Long Song of the Times” looks back on Shougang’s century-long history, beginning with the establishment of the steelworks in 1919. The visuals connect the site’s industrial past with its new role as a destination for major events, including science fiction conventions, WTT competitions, and Big Air events, showcasing Shougang’s evolution over the years.

“A Realm Without Limits” uses futuristic visual effects to bring the growth of digital industries, including the metaverse and esports, to the forefront. The sequence paints a picture of the former industrial base as it evolves into a hub for innovation and a destination for international exhibitions and conventions.

“Where Nature and the City Meet” brings together the waters of the Yongding River, the scenic beauty of the Western Hills, historic architecture, and the city’s vibrant lights across the cooling towers. The changing seasons unfold across the giant displays, capturing Shijingshan’s distinctive character as a place where natural landscapes and urban life exist side by side.

Elsewhere in the park, six Barco G62-W11 projectors are used in an edge-blended installation on a smaller, square tower, creating another visual highlight within the broader nighttime experience.

With high-performance projection and proven reliability, Barco projectors once again demonstrate their capabilities in large-scale outdoor architectural projection. “Despite the tight schedule and complex site conditions, Barco’s QDX series delivered on our design expectations with its 4K resolution, impressive, stacked brightness and excellent color reproduction,” said Hou Liang, Technical Director, Landsky Technology Group. By combining the distinctive industrial architecture of Shougang Park’s cooling towers with immersive visuals mapped onto their complex curved surfaces, the project brings the site’s industrial heritage and creative visual storytelling together, offering a compelling interpretation of the cultural identity of western Beijing.