Artwork That Reacts to the Presence of People
The commercial blocks of downtown Washington, DC, are steeped in history. But despite their storied past, hallowed halls can sometimes begin to feel more like a musty museum.
Terrell Place, a trophy building and civil rights landmark (it’s formerly the site of Hecht’s Department Store), had that issue—impressive on the outside, but a little stiff on the inside.
To position the building as a contemporary, exciting work destination and honor the site’s past, ESI approached the lobby as a media canvas, with new media experiences and social situations that recreate Terrell Place as a vibrant, modern space.
To display ever-evolving artwork that creates a sense of place and reacts to the presence of people, 1,700-square-feet of motion-activated LED displays are integrated into the walls. Three custom content modes—called Seasons, Color Play and Cityscape—are programmed with varying durations and sequences, ensuring that visitors never see the same scene twice. For example, Seasons showcases DC’s iconic cherry trees from snow-covered bud to vibrant bloom.
