Revolutionizing Exhibition Design: Astound Group's LED Canopy

Golden A' Design Award Winner Transforms Trade Show Booths with Innovative Lighting and Authentic Materials

The Astound Group's design process was meticulous and collaborative. They provided mood boards, material samples, and floorplan options to ensure a practical yet extraordinary solution. The final design was an art installation integrating over 500 suspended beams emerging from the back wall to create an overhead canopy. The beams, a clever combination of wood and internally-lit acrylic, were programmed to undulate in unison, creating a captivating visual spectacle.

The LED Canopy was a notable achievement in design, engineering, technology, and materiality. The Astound Group was committed to using authentic materials, so the canopy beams were designed as hollow pine boxes with internal steel tubes for structural support. This approach also addressed weight concerns for the beams and canopy. The longest beams suspended from the back wall were 8 feet in length, and all beams were designed at 4 inches by 4 inches.

The booth's specifications were impressive, featuring a 30 ft. x 40 ft. booth space, a 20 ft. w x 16 ft. h storage room with a steel structure to counterweight the beams, a 30 ft. x 40 ft. x 4 ft. LED signage suspended above the booth, and a 30 ft. x 40 ft. canopy made up of a combination of 30 ft. wood beams and internally acrylic beams. The booth also included a central U-shaped reception counter for swag giveaways and four double-sided demo stations.

The result was a compelling booth that stood out on the crowded show floor and drew attention from a distance. Attendees were drawn in and left in awe as they walked to, past, and through the space. This booth was extremely atypical in the trade show world and, as such, achieved the main objective of being a real standout at VM World US 2018.

The LED Canopy project was installed in Las Vegas for VM World US 2018 from August 26 to August 28. The Astound Group faced creative, technical, and research challenges in creating an unconventional design and experience that would cut through the clutter on the show floor, while incorporating light, authentic materials, and movement. Despite these challenges, the Astound Group's LED Canopy was awarded Golden in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019, a testament to the team's innovative approach and design prowess.