Stage Precision controls immersive Xi’an mall installation

An interactive installation combining moving structures, LED displays, lighting, audio and audience participation is transforming the atrium of DT51 Xi’an into an immersive storytelling environment, with Stage Precision’s SP Grid platform providing centralised control of the multimedia system.

Located in China’s Yanta District, the shopping mall opened in late 2025 with a focus on luxury retail and experiential attractions. Cultural events specialist Xi’an DuWu WuYan Cultural Industry selected digital design studio bright! studios to develop an installation that would encourage social interaction while providing a flexible platform for advertising.

The concept evolved from discussions beginning in 2019, with the global pandemic delaying development and the project eventually moving to DT51 Xi’an. The creative direction centred on a galaxy-inspired journey through the formation of the solar system and Earth before exploring the cultural heritage of Shaanxi Province.

Stage Precision’s SP Grid was selected as the technical backbone. “We primarily used SP Grid as the central control platform where the media server timeline, kinetic timeline, light show, and audio elements were integrated into one connected workflow,” explained Leon Herche, project lead at bright! studios.

The installation occupies the mall’s multistorey atrium, where four large metal rings are suspended from the ceiling. The rings move vertically and can be positioned at different angles, with each divided into two elements to provide greater flexibility. Mirrored surfaces reflect galaxy visuals from LED screens, enabling content to be viewed across the rings’ interior and exterior surfaces.

Additional LED screens and strip lighting line the atrium’s perimeter walls, while ceiling-mounted LED fixtures add depth to the visual environment. Cameras positioned within the installation capture visitors in designated participation zones, allowing their images to become part of the on-screen content.

SP Grid synchronises the various technical elements and processes real-time data to monitor and control the system. As the installation is operated by mall staff rather than specialist technicians, bright! studios developed a simplified interface through which users can manage media and audio playback, control kinetic elements and run maintenance tests.

“Within SP Grid, we developed a user-friendly interface that allows non-technical users to control multiple technical elements across media playback, audio playback, and kinetic systems – all displayed as one control environment,” Herche said.

The installation also serves a commercial purpose. The rings can move into a static configuration to display sponsored advertising, allowing the mall to use the same infrastructure for both interactive entertainment and promotional content.