Houston, Texas
When travelers step into Terminal E of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), they are greeted by the Oculus, a breathtaking 220-foot immersive, curved LED video wall installation suspended at a complex 60-degree angle between the Arrivals and Departures levels.
This one-of-a-kind installation redefines what is possible for airport LED displays by combining architectural innovation, complex engineering, and real-time content into an experience that greets millions of international passengers each year. The project showcases Ford AV’s unmatched expertise in large-scale AV integration, LED video wall installation, and advanced content management systems.
“Nothing about this was off-the-shelf. Every LED cabinet, every pixel alignment, and every curve had to be engineered for this exact shape.”
— Mitch W., Ford AV
What makes the Oculus extraordinary is the curved geometry. Unlike traditional LED walls that use uniform rectangular panels, every one of the more than 2,000 LED modules had to be custom-fabricated and individually positioned within tolerances down to the millimeter. Each panel is slightly trapezoidal to maintain the structure’s oval form and perfectly curved radii.
“I knew this was going to be an incredibly complex project. Nothing like this had been done before in an airport space—the size, the shape, the complexity was going to present a big challenge.”
— Darryl D., Chief Technology Officer for Houston Airports
NanoLumens provided the LED hardware and bespoke mounting system, while Ford AV managed installation, system integration, and commissioning.
From Concept to Reality: Prototyping and Mockups
Every great project starts with a bold idea and thorough testing to prove the concept. For the Oculus, that meant turning an ambitious design into something that could be built, maintained, and operated for years to come.
To achieve this, the design team simplified the structure’s complex curved shape into a series of smooth, connected arcs. This approach made construction more reliable and reduced the number of custom components needed.
Physical mockups played a vital role in bringing the concept to life. The first working prototype was built in Atlanta to test the look, mounting, and fit of the LED panels. Ford AV then rebuilt the same mockup in Houston so airport stakeholders could experience the design in person, and the installation team could practice the precise methods required to assemble the final display.
Advanced AV Systems and Content Management
Behind the sleek digital surface lies one of the most sophisticated content management ecosystems ever deployed in an airport.
Ford AV designed, built, and installed the equipment racks and devices that power the experience, including six high-end Pixera video playback servers, an Analog Way Aquilon processor for managing nonstandard resolutions, Novastar video splicers, and Smart Monkeys’ ISAAC platform for content management and scheduling.
The system is supported by over 400 Cat6 data cables, each terminated, tested, and certified by Ford AV’s installation teams. Redundant cabling ensures continuous uptime; if one path fails, playback automatically reroutes to backup systems.
Gentilhomme Studio, a content creation studio from Canada, developed the pre-rendered and real-time content that plays across the LED video wall surface.
As travelers pass beneath the Oculus, their motion data is captured by occupancy sensors, processed through Pixera’s real-time rendering engine, and delivered to the massive, curved LED surface, creating visuals that respond to passenger movement. The result is dynamic content that changes throughout the day and reflects Houston’s identity, environment, and energy as travelers pass below.
“It is 100% meant to be an element that shares the sense of place for the city of Houston. This is the opportunity for us to really showcase Houston’s sense of place and highlight what the city has to offer. For many, this is their first experience of Houston—and for others, it’s the last thing they see before they leave.”
— Darryl D., Chief Technology Officer for Houston Airports
Challenges, Collaboration, and Adaptation
From the earliest design phases, the Oculus presented formidable structural and technical challenges. The project team quickly discovered that the initial steel frame did not match the required geometry.
“Because our LED cabinet tolerances were so tight, even a half-inch deviation was unacceptable. We worked hand-in-hand with the framing trade and the general contractor, performing multiple mock-ups and on-site adjustments until the curve was perfect.”
— Dan S., Ford AV
It took seven major framing revisions and months of coordination before the structure was ready. Ultimately, Ford AV installed the wall at full height on scaffolding.
Later, during commissioning, the integration team faced synchronization issues between Unreal Engine and Pixera’s rendering systems, causing frame drops and timing mismatches across the six playback servers. Ford AV and Smart Monkeys collaborated to develop a frame-locking solution that harmonized the servers’ outputs, ensuring every pixel stayed perfectly aligned in motion.
As the final keystone panels were installed and the LED structure came to life, the project team experienced a powerful sense of achievement.
“It was a magical moment. When the panels were installed and we lit them up for the first time, it shifted from being a complicated construction project to an impressive final product.”
— Dan S., Ford AV
The Technology Behind The Oculus
The Oculus’ technology suite reflects Ford AV’s leadership in immersive display integration. From the NanoLumens curved LED panels and Pixera rendering servers to the ISAAC content platform, the project showcases the company’s ability to blend structural precision, advanced processing, and interactive technology at scale.
Each piece of hardware was configured, networked, and tested for synchronization and redundancy. The final system integrates with airport operations, ensuring continuous playback.
A New Standard for Airport Immersive LED Installations
For the City of Houston and millions of travelers each year, the Oculus is a symbol of innovation and welcome. For Ford AV, it’s a testament to what’s possible when design, technology, and craftsmanship converge.
“This project was an integration of a very complex video wall display in a shape that no other integrator had even attempted. The crew and project team had to continuously think outside the box and overcome challenges that had never been faced on other projects.”
— Patrick R., Ford AV
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