Discovering new realities in a world-leading digital arts facility

Overbury delivered the University of Portsmouth’s new Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR), the UK’s first integrated facility to support innovation in virtual, augmented and extended realities.

Project partners

  • Aecom
  • D84 Architects
  • Digital Garage
I am very likely to recommend you. The team did a great job, there were a few issues, as expected on every project, but you dealt with them well.

Pippa Bostock, University of Portsmouth

Project description

Inspiring a new generation

We set out to create a space that enables students and creators to explore next-generation extended reality technology in an industry-leading institution.

We helped construct a series of studios to house different digital technologies, such as immersive virtual reality, augmented reality and photogrammetry (the process of extracting 3D information from photographic material).

Sounds good to us

In recording studios and editing rooms, we installed multiple layered plasterboard partitions, triple-glazed windows, floating acoustic floors and plasterboard ceilings with specialist dampening hangers.

To achieve the specific acoustic requirements, walls and ceilings have been constructed at different angles and all air conditioning systems were installed with attenuated ductwork to minimise background noise.

To add a touch of creative flare to the space, the music studios have been fitted with colour-changing atmospheric lighting and timber-clad feature walls.

Fostering creativity and connectivity

The space acts as a creative hub featuring a new virtual stage that displays digital imagery on three different surfaces to create an immersive viewing experience. With exposed ceilings, double height windows and a freshly painted white floor, the space feels incredibly light and airy.

We also gave the existing offices a refresh and installed new meeting rooms and a tea point to ensure variety of workspaces.

Cutting-edge technology

Standout features of the project include a motion capture studio with an acoustic quilted blanket wall and a green room, both used for generating virtual imagery and augmented reality. Every technologically advanced space required careful planning when it came to logistics and installation due to the highly advanced and valuable equipment they are fitted with.

We are proud to have helped create such an exciting facility that builds on the University of Portsmouth’s renowned expertise and excellence in digital innovation. The pioneering CCIXR is home to some of the world’s leading immersive technology and puts the university at the centre of the industry’s evolution.

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