Hard Rock Oculus

The Oculus is both an architectural and experiential musical masterpiece designed by the Lab at Rockwell Group. I was the chief creative and Executive Producer at the LAB. The genesis of the project was my inspiration to use laser projection video into organic material. Working closely with the architect, Gonzalo Bustamante, we designed the center of the Oculus to be a spectacle of volumetric, holographic, video projection (from 3 angles) into a column of rain and mist. We placed a concave LED screen (with waterfall over it) behind the cylinder to create multiple plains of content. Every piece of the 180 foot diameter circular room is placed to enhance the experience. We then collaborated with Senovva (AV and Projection), Focus Lighting (architectural theatrical lighting), and WET Design (water fabrication and choreography) to realize the design.

As the nucleus to this new development, it serves as both a gathering and circulation point for millions of yearly visitors. The Oculus embodies how architecture can be used to immerse an audience in a reinvented approach to experiencing music. It interweaves its wooden organic architectural design with concert light production, world-class waterfall choreography, holographic animated projections, and original animated music films with its surrounding green walls and waterfalls. Towering above guests in the center of the Oculus is a 35' tall waterfall with pulsating rain, gravity-defying water spectacles, and mist effects for song finales.

The Oculus is lined with hundreds of lights that set the mood for songs and warp the whole space into the world of the artist. Each song is coupled with original holographic content projected onto the central circular waterfall, and surrounding water walls. With each captivating performance, the world of the Oculus highlights the possibilities for how technology, architecture, nature, and theater can unite to create a musical realm never before experienced.