A trophy office building in Penn Quarter just got a stunning makeover. Manhattan-based experiential design firm ESI Design transformed the plain white walls in the common areas of Terrell Place with videos of hypnotic fireworks, bobbing cherry blossoms, and Washington, D.C. architecture.
The 1,700-square-foot space is illuminated by motion-activated media and is capable of being viewed from the street through oversized windows. The diffused LED wall displays are activated through an infrared camera system, according to a recent press release. There are three content modes: "Seasons," "Color Play," and "Cityscape."
When "Seasons" is in play, Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms are in view and even blossom when movement is sensed. When there is no movement in the lobby, the butterflies flutter over the plants.
For "Color Play," algorithmically-generated patterns of multi-color threads weave a tapestry on the walls. This "tapestry" mimics a fireworks display one might see on the Fourth of July.
Lastly, "Cityscape" displays the iconic architecture of Washington, D.C., from its statues to its transportation.
Along with the wall displays, ESI also redesigned the Mary Church Terrell Memorial and installed an interactive tablet in the main lobby for guests to learn more about Terrell Place’s impact on the Civil Rights Movement. According to a recent press release, the Terrell was named after civil rights activist Mary Church Terrell, a founding member of the NAACP. In the 1950s, Terrell led a protect against the segregation at Hecht’s lunch counter. The site is now a dedicated stop at the Washington, D.C. "Civil War to Civil Rights" heritage trail.