An icon of the Dallas skyline since the Seventies, Reunion Tower was ready for a refresh — the original developers had a vision to turn it into a thoroughly modern and world-class observation deck with interactive elements. Gensler was tasked with the interior redesign, and partnered with Stimulant to help realize their vision for digitally-enhanced interactive environments.
Up to 30 visitors can interact with touchscreens on Reunion Tower’s observation deck.
The crown jewel of the 560-foot-tall tower is a 360-degree view of Dallas from high above the city. Our design credo was to “enhance visitors’ view.” Gensler drew inspiration from the geodesic dome that envelops the tower, invoking a highly-geometric design language. The GeO-Deck is an observation deck where visitors can get their first taste of the wide expanse of the Texas landscape. Stimulant designed and developed a reactive and interactive experience for the GeO-Deck called the Halo, a graceful arc of 15 seamlessly-integrated displays linked together to create a massive 60-foot-wide observation deck interactive surface. There are two Halos on the GeO-Deck, allowing for up to 30 concurrent users. The Halos feature real-time 3D generative backgrounds that respond to both touch and movement throughout the space. The Halo supports a variety of “apps” — interactive 3D models and photos of Dallas landmarks, zoomable interactive gigapixel photographic panoramas of the view out any window, control of HD cameras mounted outside the tower for exploring the city in detail, custom-curated maps, a unique video about the JFK assassination (which occurred hundreds of yards from the tower), and an interactive simulation of the tower’s famous light shows. Each touchscreen is calibrated for its unique position around the circumference of the observation deck and provides an experience tailored to its particular orientation, though all content is available from any station.
The ceiling on Cloud 9 features real-time generative digital art and lighting that simulates Dallas’ famous stormclouds and rain.
One floor up from the GeO-Deck is Cloud 9, a futuristic bar and lounge serving Texas-themed food and cocktails from Wolfgang Puck. The “Big Sky” is a breathtaking digital installation on the ceiling, combining abstract steel clouds, dynamic LED lighting, and 17 HD screens that comprise a massive-scale abstract weather simulation. Stimulant’s experience for these displays treats guests to a continuously-changing surrealistic view of Dallas weather, rendered in real time. As the simulation cycles through different times of day and various weather patterns, color changes are triggered throughout the entire ceiling. Each moment is unique and married seamlessly to the architecture and design of the space.
Skyspace LA Immersive Experiences
Reunion Tower, Dallas, TX
