Pacific Place is a shopping and community destination located in the heart of downtown Seattle.
The project's goal was to revitalize the property, increase visitor foot traffic, and transform the complex into a vibrant community hub. To achieve this, ClearLED partnered with the client to install a five-story transparent LED display that serves both as a striking architectural centerpiece and a large-scale digital canvas.
Pacific Place required more than a conventional display. The project called for a solution capable of:
- Preserving the natural daylight entering through a large glass skylight.
- Maintaining a sense of openness and transparency around the escalator area.
- Eliminating the need for major structural reinforcement.
- Supporting large-format, high-resolution content.
- Serving as a social and cultural focal point within the shopping center.
Traditional LED solutions would have blocked natural light, added considerable weight to the structure, and required costly structural modifications. The client was looking for a solution that balanced performance, transparency, and practicality.
From the outset, ClearLED approached the project as an opportunity to create a destination rather than simply install an LED display.
Early concepts explored a variety of display configurations and visual approaches. Through collaboration and refinement, the design evolved into a single focal point: a transparent LED display positioned in front of the escalators, designed to activate the vertical space while preserving openness and natural daylight.
The objective was clear: to create a destination capable of hosting digital art, live events, sports broadcasts, and community-focused content while revitalizing the overall shopping experience.
ClearLED designed and installed a five-story freestanding structure using the Micromesh Tour 3.9 mm product line. The solution's main features include:
- High transparency to preserve natural light and sightlines.
- Lightweight construction to minimize structural impact.
- Full rear service access, including a concealed maintenance catwalk.
- An integrated audio system hidden behind the display for an immersive sound experience.
- Fast installation thanks to its modular design and integrated cabling.
Although Micromesh Tour was originally developed for rental applications, its flexibility, rapid installation, and low power consumption made it an ideal solution for a permanent architectural installation.
Technology highlights
The installation features the Micromesh Tour 3.9 mm transparent LED display, representing the largest deployment of this product line to date. Its modular 1 x 1 meter panels can be handled by a single person and incorporate integrated data cabling within each cabinet, simplifying both installation and maintenance.
In addition, the solution stands out for its low power consumption, with a maximum of approximately 300 W/m² and an average consumption of 150 W/m², while delivering the high brightness required for environments with abundant natural light. The installation also provides an ultra-large-format display with 8K resolution.
The display was conceived as much more than a visual feature; it was designed to activate the space. Its content strategy combines digital artwork by local and regional artists, visuals inspired by Seattle and Washington State, live sports and events, as well as television programming, weather updates, and news.
This diverse mix enables Pacific Place to transition seamlessly between art, information, and entertainment, making the installation a living, constantly evolving feature of the venue.
The installation has become one of Pacific Place's defining features, serving as an architectural landmark, a gathering place for visitors and events, a platform for local culture, and a symbol of the property's revitalization.
By combining transparency, large-scale visuals, and visual storytelling, ClearLED has created a solution that goes beyond display technology and redefines the way visitors experience this urban space.
Pacific Place demonstrates the possibilities of thoughtfully integrating LED technology into architecture. Through collaboration, innovation, and a clearly defined vision, ClearLED has helped transform a traditional retail environment into a dynamic urban destination.
