Introduction: The Rise of Immersive Experiences in Museums
Modern museums are rapidly evolving into interactive learning environments. Visitors today expect more than static displays—they seek dynamic, immersive experiences that allow them to engage with content in a visceral, memorable way. At the heart of this transformation is digital technology, particularly advanced LED display systems that can transform walls, ceilings, and even floors into vivid storytelling platforms.
One of the most powerful formats gaining traction in this sector is the LED hemisphere display. Unlike traditional projection domes, LED hemispheres offer higher brightness, color fidelity, and structural flexibility, making them ideal for science museums, innovation centers, and educational pavilions.
This case study explores how Durway System Corp helped design, engineer, and deliver a 28ft LED hemisphere for the Legacy International Center Museum in San Diego, USA, combining engineering precision with immersive storytelling for a groundbreaking visitor experience.
Project Overview
Project Name: 28ft LED Hemisphere Display Project for Legacy Center
Location: San Diego, United States
Client Type: Museum (Legacy International Center)
Project Timeline: 6 months
Production Start: August 2018
Installation Complete: Novemmber 25, 2019
Core Application: Scientific education, immersive interaction, and technology-based storytelling
This LED screen for the museum was not merely a visual element. It was conceived as a central immersive feature, built to educate audiences about Earth science through interactive, 360-degree digital content.
Client Needs & Project Challenges
Designing a hemisphere display for a museum is a uniquely complex endeavor, especially when it involves public use, high-resolution interactivity, and architectural constraints.
Key Requirements
Display Size and Visual Immersion
The LED screen needed to form a 28-foot diameter hemisphere, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding LCD panels to offer a 360-degree viewer experience. The design had to encourage physical interaction and emotional connection, immersing the audience in Earth-themed content from every angle.
Environmental and Structural Constraints
The display was installed indoors with limited space and natural sunlight exposure. To ensure visual clarity in daylight, a minimum brightness level of 1500 nits was required. Moreover, the installation site was located in a seismic zone, meaning the structure had to withstand up to a magnitude 8 earthquake.
Visual Performance Expectations
Museum visitors would view the screen up close, so the display had to:
Maintain high contrast ratios for depth and dimensionality
Reproduce natural color palettes for scientific accuracy
Operate with minimal latency to support interactive content
Audio-Visual Synchronization
Although the display was not required to be acoustically transparent, it needed to support audio synchronization with visual content to complete the immersive experience.
Tight Budget and Timeline
The project had to be completed and fully functional in time for a December 25, 2019, public opening, leaving little room for error or delays.
Our Solution & Technology Highlights
To meet the demanding performance, structural, and timeline requirements, Durway delivered a tailor-made LED hemisphere display solution—designed not just to function, but to impress, educate, and endure.
1， Structural Design: Engineered for Safety, Precision, and Seismic Resilience
The hemisphere was supported by a dual-structure system:
A main framework that established the shape and seismic integrity of the 28ft diameter hemisphere
Modular cabinet structures that housed the LED modules, wiring, and signal components
Given the seismic location in California, the frame was structurally certified to withstand up to magnitude 8 earthquakes. The base was elevated to simulate equatorial positioning, offering both symbolic and ergonomic design advantages.
Key features:
Modular bracket and box design for simplified transport and rapid installation
Engineered curvature to form a natural half-globe, enhancing depth perception
Structural integrity certification by licensed engineers before manufacturing
This approach allowed for precise alignment during on-site assembly and long-term durability under environmental stress.
2. Advanced Display Performance: Designed for Immersion and Color Accuracy
In museum applications, display performance must walk a fine line between scientific realism and emotional engagement. The hemisphere was therefore optimized across all key performance areas:
Brightness: Calibrated to 1500+ nits to counteract ambient sunlight in the indoor installation
Contrast: Enhanced through super-black surface treatment, increasing depth and visibility under varying light conditions
Color Gamut: Wide color gamut supporting over 95% of the DCI-P3 spectrum, ensuring realistic color reproduction for natural landscapes, space, and scientific content
Resolution: Horizontal 10K-level resolution across the curved surface, providing smooth, uninterrupted visuals from any viewing angle
Viewing Angle: True 360° horizontal and vertical visibility, ideal for audience groups moving around and beneath the dome
These specifications ensured that both content clarity and color fidelity met the expectations of science educators, designers, and museum-goers.
3， Modular Flexibility and Custom Fit
Durway’s proprietary LED tiles are engineered to flex and lock seamlessly into non-planar installations, such as spheres and hemispheres. The 28ft hemisphere used a customized array of small-format, flexible LED modules, enabling:
Edge-to-edge continuity with no visible seams or panel gaps
Tight curvature without pixel distortion or visual breakup
Quick-replace front-access design, allowing modules to be maintained or replaced individually
This degree of modularity is essential in environments like museums, where uptime and reliability are critical and downtime must be minimized.
4. Simplified Power and Control Integration
To streamline installation and enhance safety, the hemisphere was equipped with a long-distance centralized power supply system. This allowed all power and control components to be positioned away from the LED surface, simplifying maintenance and reducing heat accumulation.
Centralized power architecture: Up to 20 meters from the screen
Remote monitoring capability: Reduces onsite intervention requirements
Reduced cabling congestion: Improves air flow and safety
Control was handled via a Novastar 4K LED control system, offering:
Real-time synchronization with external LCD panels
Multi-signal input support (HDMI, IP, media servers)
Frame-lock precision for seamless AV alignment
This ensures maximum flexibility for future content upgrades or system expansions.
Part 4: Implementation & Outcome
1， Logistics and Installation Process
Durway’s international delivery and installation protocol was executed with precision and efficiency to meet the client’s December 2019 deadline.
Shipping & Delivery
The system was packed in two full containers and shipped by sea.
Components were organized into structural, electronic, and display modules to optimize unloading and sequencing.
Installation Phases
Primary Structure Assembly
The load-bearing steel frame was assembled and anchored on-site.
Each section was verified for stability and accuracy before proceeding.
Cabinet & Module Integration
LED display cabinets were mounted to the framework.
Power systems, data cables, and receiving cards were installed per section.
System Configuration & Calibration
All modules were tested for signal continuity and visual uniformity.
Color and brightness adjustments were minimal due to pre-calibrated factory settings.
Final Tuning & Software Integration
The hemisphere was synchronized with surrounding LCDs and interactive content servers.
A/V alignment was verified across devices for a cohesive multi-screen experience.
2. Visual Outcome and Onsite Experience
Once fully operational, the 28ft hemisphere became the visual centerpiece of the Legacy International Center museum. Designed to display content about Earth and the natural world, it provided:
Immersive 360-degree views of real-time and pre-rendered scientific content
A narrative-rich environment blending digital storytelling with motion graphics
Integration with interactive RFID-enabled personalization technology, allowing guests to engage with the display in uniquely tailored ways
Museum staff reported increased engagement, longer dwell times, and overwhelmingly positive visitor feedback, particularly from school groups and tour groups.
Part 5: Value Delivered & Future Applications
1. Lasting Value for the Museum
The 28ft LED hemisphere installed at the Legacy International Center not only fulfilled the client’s technical requirements but also established a new benchmark for immersive science education in a museum setting. Its benefits include:
Enhanced visitor engagement through rich, multi-sensory storytelling
Increased learning retention via real-time interaction and visual immersion
Architectural harmony through a display that complements the space, not just fills it
Reliable operation in a high-traffic public setting with minimal maintenance
As a result, the screen has become an iconic attraction that reinforces the museum’s mission of education through innovation.
2. Expandable Use Cases for Other Sectors
The design, technology, and execution principles behind this project are applicable across a wide range of future projects, including:
Science museums and planetariums
Cultural pavilions and innovation hubs
Theme parks and experiential retail spaces
Corporate lobbies with a strong visual identity
Education and research institutions require real-time data visualization
From hemispheres to full spheres, curved walls to LED tunnels, Durway’s engineering team can adapt these methods to suit your vision.
Conclusion: Bringing Immersion to Life with LED Technology
This 28ft LED hemisphere is a powerful example of how cutting-edge display hardware and engineered structural integration can unlock immersive storytelling in public spaces. Built to withstand environmental, operational, and visual challenges, it demonstrates what’s possible when technology, creativity, and execution come together.
If you’re planning a similar project, Durway is ready to support your vision with customized solutions and decades of LED display expertise.
Call to Action
Visit www.durway.com to learn more about our museum display solutions, or contact our team for a custom consultation.
