Transforming Urban Spaces: The Portal – A Stunning Immersive Art Experience at One Union Square
A striking new digital art installation has transformed the entrance of One Union Square, a prominent Seattle office tower, into an immersive visual experience showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s natural splendor and urban landscape. The innovative display, dubbed “The Portal,” wraps visitors in a 180-degree panoramic environment featuring high-resolution imagery of regional landmarks from Mount Rainier to the Space Needle.
Developed by Bellevue-based visual effects company Lightspeed Design, the installation utilizes 248 LED panels to create a seamless display reaching 14 feet high and spanning 42 feet wide. The system delivers an impressive 13K resolution, far surpassing the quality of standard 4K televisions and maintaining exceptional clarity from any viewing angle.
The approximately 45-minute rotating presentation includes 50 distinct images that come alive through sophisticated AI-enhanced pan and zoom effects. Lightspeed Design employs Topaz Labs software to maintain image quality while dramatically scaling photographs to the
installation’s massive dimensions. This technology allows for remarkable detail preservation, as demonstrated when aerial shots of Lake Union can zoom in to reveal sharp images of houseboats and swimmers below.
Bob Mueller, Lightspeed’s art director, explains that the AI technology interprets and enhances image elements based on its training from millions of reference images. Chris Ward, the company’s president, emphasizes that artificial intelligence serves as a supportive tool that amplifies rather than replaces human creativity.
The installation combines still photography, video footage, and real-time digital simulations. One notable feature includes dynamic sky displays that accurately reflect Seattle’s current solar position and celestial conditions based on the exact coordinates of The Portal.
The project is part of Washington Holdings’ $120 million renovation of One and Two Union Square, with architectural work by Seattle firm GGLO. The curated imagery features contributions from various local institutions, including the City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, MOHAI, Seattle Public Library, and the Space Needle, along with content from NASA.
Operating silently and identifying artwork only through credits, The Portal serves as both an architectural feature and public art installation, particularly striking when viewed from the outside after dark. Craig Wrench, Washington Holdings CEO, describes the
installation’s purpose as creating an unexpected moment of visual delight for building occupants and visitors.
While some passersby hurry through absorbed in their phones, others pause to appreciate the rotating displays of Pacific Northwest imagery – from Blue Angels soaring overhead to dramatic coastal waves, serene forest scenes, and celebratory fireworks above Seattle’s iconic Space Needle. According to Mueller, even those who don’t consciously register the imagery may subconsciously absorb its beauty during their daily commute.
The installation represents a unique confluence of modern technology and artistic vision, transforming a routine office entrance into an engaging cultural space. By seamlessly integrating high-resolution displays, artificial intelligence, and carefully curated regional imagery, The Portal creates a distinctive architectural feature that celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s natural and built environment while providing an enhanced experience for those entering and exiting the building.
The project demonstrates how digital art can be effectively
incorporated into architectural spaces to create meaningful
experiences that connect people with their surroundings and community heritage. Through its sophisticated technical implementation and thoughtful content curation, The Portal establishes a new standard for integrating immersive digital installations within urban office environments.
