The lower section of the Expo 2017 Sphere is connected to a glass roof structure that forms a spacious interior plaza, providing a welcoming area for visitors before entering the sphere and its exhibition spaces. Opposite the main plaza entrance, the lower level of the glass sphere’s façade was designed to transform into a large-scale, fully integrated architectural LED display. Known as the “Canopy Display,” this feature is situated directly above a central stage, which was prominently used by the Kazakh president during the opening ceremony to greet honored guests.
The canopy LED screen needed to align seamlessly with the intricate 3D curves of the sphere’s lower canopy windows, perfectly matching the geometry of the canopy’s unique architecture. The 3D tapered design of the canopy sections, coupled with the very limited installation space, presented significant challenges—not only for designing the custom LED display modules but also for developing an innovative installation concept.
To achieve this, a total of twelve differently sized and shaped LED modules were developed, each featuring premium, high-efficiency SMD LEDs with a varying pixel grid of 19.2–23.8 mm. These bespoke modules ensured flawless integration with the complex canopy structure. Additionally, a specialized map was created to accurately render both video and static content on the irregular pixel grid, ensuring an immersive and visually stunning display.
