Transforming an industrial site into a high-tech innovation hub: thanks to AV technologies installed by Philips and Sisme, the OGR (Officine Grandi Riparazioni) in Turin became a new innovation and entertainment area.
For over 100 years, the OGR – Officine Grandi Riparazioni, a train manufacturing and repair complex – cast an imposing presence over the heart of Turin, Italy. But when the late 19th century complex closed in the early 1990s, it’s future looked bleak. Abandoned, derelict and facing calls for demolition, it could have become another lost monument. That it hasn’t, that it has instead found a new purpose as a tech innovation, creativity and entertainment hub, is thanks to Fondazione CRT, which purchased the 20,000 m2 complex and began transforming it. CRT partnered with Sisme – and Philips – to create a stunning transformation. In the central restaurant area, an elevator shaft became a dramatic centrepiece thanks to the installation of the largest high resolution digital signage ever installed in Italy, rising 15 metres. Dozens of screens in the foyer, media room and events area ensure the medium is also the message.
Armony and integration
CRT’s plan was to turn the former train repair facility into an internationally oriented workshop for culture, innovation and business acceleration. It would combine high tech solutions with environmental sustainability, flexible use with historical preservation, and offer easy and welcoming access for all. New and old in inspiring and functional harmony. As part of this, CRT needed a quality digital signage system offering lots of options. This included creating a video wall that would turn an elevator shaft, in the restaurant, into a centrepiece, plus dozens of screens for the foyer, media room and events area. CRT further required turnkey support for the supply and installation of equipment, including custom-designed wall-mount and floor supports. Sisme’s know-how and previous successful projects with CRT saw it win the contract. And then they turned to Philips.
“The goal was to develop A/V technology systems that would meet the technical requirements and design synergy of the project. Working with Philips, we were able to do this”, said Mauro Ristè, Sales Manager at Sisme S.p.A.
Design and technology in digital signage innovative installations
Sisme supplies professional A/V brands and offers system design, marketing and communications support, logistics, and an in-house repair service. Importantly for this project, it combines technical skills with the aesthetic eye of an interior designer. For the central restaurant area, the idea was to turn an elevator shaft into an attractive feature. We did this by creating the largest high resolution digital signage ever installed in Italy, rising 15 metres. For the foyer, it was important that the signage should itself form part of the innovative, high tech message. A combination of six-metre-tall video wall and 84” wall displays help ensure the medium is also the message. In the media room, we used two 98” displays, and we enhanced the events area experience with two LED walls.
By working together, Philips, Sisme and its other partners (who supplied customized supports and frame templates to easily align the displays) were able to cut the total installation time to just five days. Equally importantly, controlling the displays and their content is easy thanks to the incorporation of an advanced graphics interface for playing multimedia content. The result is that four years after the transformation began, the new OGR reopened in September 2017 as a bright, vibrant workshop for the future – a forward-looking concept that includes sharing information and entertainment through our innovative signage network. Form and function in beautiful harmony. Just like the new-look OGR itself.
www.philips.it/p-m-pr/professionaldisplays
www.sisme.com
www.ogrtorino.it