Transforming Spaces: New Frey Hall Video Wall Inspires Students

Over the recent winter break, a state-of-the-art video wall was installed in the lobby of Frey Hall. Measuring 6’6″ x 12′, the wall delivers dynamic content, real-time updates, and an immersive visual experience for the many students who visit Frey Hall daily for classes. 

The project came to life through the joint efforts of multiple teams across the university. Dennis Murray, campus videographer, provided engaging content to showcase on the screen, while the Campus Planning, Design & Construction (CPDC) team, including electricians, carpenters, and painters, executed the physical installation. The Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) team, including staff  and students, assembled and fine-tuned the system.

Greg Davis, senior MSE engineer in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT), spearheaded the project’s technical execution and had the vision for the video wall. “For the longest time, video walls were seen as unreliable or too expensive,” he explained. “But I knew we could make it happen, at a fraction of the expected cost, without sacrificing quality.”

After extensive research into the most reliable and cost-effective components, Davis and his team successfully executed the project on a reduced budget of under $40,000 in just a few weeks over the winter break so that classes were not impacted by the construction and installation.

The video wall showcases engaging multimedia content, including global live-streamed camera feeds, university highlights, and student projects. The flexibility of the system allows for real-time content updates, making it a valuable tool for both current students and prospective visitors touring the campus.

John Berwick, instructional support associate and manager of technology for Frey Hall, emphasized the importance of reliability and ease of use. “This system is simple yet powerful. With just a few clicks, we can switch between different content sources, keeping the experience fresh and relevant.”

The CPDC team incorporated custom-built piano hinges for easy maintenance access, while campus painters finished the surrounding wall with black paint to enhance the display’s visual impact.

“When I saw this wall in the lobby of Frey Hall, I knew that it would be perfect for a video wall,” concluded Davis. “We found a way to use reliable technology and to finish the project at a reasonable cost, and it’s just an amazing upgrade for the building.”

With future content updates and potential integrations into campus tours of Frey Hall, the installation will engage current and prospective students, as well as the campus community.

— Beth Squire