Port of Portland
Extraordinary Windows
Extraordinary WindowsExtra-ordinary Windows
Overview
A living digital canvas that transports travelers to worlds that are entirely unique with every visit, blending the enchantment of Pacific Northwest nature with the architecture of PDX.
Signal
Decoding the Signal
Nature’s ability to reduce travel anxiety.
Port of Portland asked us, how can we create a calming, immersive experience in a high-stress airport environment? PDX was in the process of redesigning the airport with sustainability and well-being in mind, so we tackled traveler stress — felt by 60% of passengers going through check-in and security.
Activities
→ Stakeholder interviews
→ Portland resident interviews
→ Traveler wellness research
→ Biophilic design research
→ Airport and nature immersion
We leveraged extensive research that proves nature is the ultimate remedy for anxiety. Studies from the Harvard Health Institute indicate that viewing natural landscapes reduces mental fatigue, lowers blood pressure and improves overall well-being.
We hiked iconic Pacific Northwest landmarks, 3D-scanning and photographing nature to capture biophilic design inspiration and environmental data.
Senses
Designing for the sense
A digital canvas that transports travelers to calm, living natural worlds.
We created Extraordinary Windows, a 24/7, ever-evolving digital installation powered by real-time environmental and airport data. Displaying six calming dynamic Pacific Northwest natural landscapes, it adapts to airport traffic, weather and time of day – ensuring no two experiences are alike.
Activities
→ Experience concept
→ ART DIRECTION
→ content strategy
→ High-fidelity design
System
DEVELOPING THE SYSTEM
A digital ecosystem that adapts to real-time environmental data.
As a living system, it mirrors nature in constant motion, using Unreal Engine and real-time data. Airport crowd levels dictate the number of butterflies, mushrooms and deer in-scene. Weather conditions outside the airport shape the weather on-screen, including humidity levels (which dictates fog heaviness and speed of growth for mushrooms), visibility (dictates fog density) and wind speed.
Activities
→ Custom CMS development
→ Environmental data integration
→ Data-driven 3D motion design and animation
→ Astronomical analysis of sunrise and sunset times across the year
→ Fully-crafted 3D environments in Unreal Engine using satellite imagery
Time-of-day synchronization
The sun and lighting within the display match natural daylight shifts in Portland, aligning digital content with real-world circadian rhythms.
Live airport population data
Higher traffic prompts visual changes, such as deer gathering or mushrooms growing.
Weather data integration
Displays mirror real-world conditions – rainfall outside triggers digital rain inside, and wind speed influences the movement of digital seagrass.
Shift
PARADIGM SHIFT
The future of real-time, data-responsive experiences
We set a new paradigm for travel spaces with a real-time, data-driven installation. More than a screen, it’s a living ecosystem driving calm, connection and cultural storytelling. Open to all, it transformed PDX into a community hub for art and nature. Each visit is unique, sparking conversation between travelers, “What did you see?”
"Going through the airport feels like a walk in the forest"
PDX Traveler
