“The Portal” is a new 180-degree art-filled entryway at the One Union Square office building in downtown Seattle. Developed by Lightspeed Design, the entryway showcases massive images of the Pacific Northwest, including natural landscapes and iconic structures. The 14-feet high and 42-feet wide display features 248 high-resolution LED panels with super high image resolution, equivalent to 13K wide, providing a unique visual experience for visitors.
Lightspeed Design utilized artificial intelligence tools to enhance the photos displayed in The Portal, allowing for extreme detail in panning and scanning across the images. AI technology from Topaz Labs helped in maintaining the integrity of the original photography as it was blown up to 13K, resulting in sharp and detailed images. The display also features real-time simulations, such as sky and cloud formations that accurately reflect the time and position of the sun in Seattle.
Washington Holdings, the building owner, has invested over $120 million in upgrades to the One and Two Union Square properties, with the current renovation of One Union being carried out by Seattle-based architecture firm GGLO. The Portal does not produce any sound and only features credits to the artists and photographers whose work is displayed. The Union Square website includes a list of organizations that granted usage permissions, such as the City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and NASA.
Standing in The Portal, one can observe office workers passing by the immersive display, some of whom consciously take in the images while others might only perceive them subconsciously. The goal of The Portal, according to Washington Holdings CEO Craig Wrench, is to create a visually striking moment that positively impacts tenants and guests as they pass through or by the entryway. The display mixes photographs, videos, and real-time simulations, ensuring that the visuals are always moving and engaging.
The display at The Portal features a variety of content, including photographs of the Blue Angels, crashing waves, owls in forests, and the Space Needle. The entryway could be viewed as a dynamic piece of public art in the city, especially from the courtyard outside, which provides a different perspective of the immersive display. Lightspeed Design’s use of AI technology alongside traditional artistic techniques enhances the images displayed in The Portal, creating a visually stunning experience for visitors passing through One Union Square.
