Panasonic has partnered with immersive entertainment specialist Holovis to deliver a large-scale audiovisual experience at Gunwharf Quays, a waterfront shopping and leisure destination in Portsmouth, UK.
The attraction, housed inside a 1,300-square-metre dome, combines advanced laser projection, spatial sound and live performances to create an interactive entertainment environment for families.
Developed by Holovis in collaboration with property company Landsec, the ApolloDomes installation uses six Panasonic laser projectors alongside professional audio equipment from KV2 Audio. The venue has already hosted seasonal entertainment experiences, including Halloween and Christmas-themed productions.
The project, therefore, reflects the growing use of audiovisual technology in shopping and leisure developments, where operators are introducing new experiences to attract visitors beyond traditional retail offerings.
Panasonic Projectors Create Seamless Dome Visuals
At the centre of the installation are six Panasonic PT-RZ24K laser projectors, each delivering 20,000 lumens of brightness. The WUXGA 3-Chip DLP projectors have been installed to cover the dome’s curved interior with large-scale visuals, creating an environment where audiences are surrounded by projected imagery.
Unlike conventional flat-screen projection, dome installations require careful planning to ensure that images appear consistent across curved surfaces. Holovis addressed these technical challenges through precise projector positioning, geometry correction, and edge-blending techniques, allowing the six projected images to appear as one continuous visual environment.
The company also designed the visual content with the dome’s architecture in mind, helping conceal transitions between individual projections and maintaining a consistent experience throughout the space.
Panasonic’s projectors were selected for their high brightness, compact design, and reliability, allowing the equipment to be integrated without disrupting the immersive setting. The systems also incorporate laser failover circuitry and automatic backup input switching, helping maintain operational continuity during performances.
KV2 Audio Enhances The Immersive Experience
Alongside the projection technology, the installation incorporates a professional sound system supplied by KV2 Audio. The audio setup includes CS6 loudspeakers, ESD 1.15 subwoofers and ESD 6 surround speakers, providing sound coverage throughout the dome.
The equipment has been integrated discreetly into the attraction, allowing the audio system to support the experience without becoming a prominent visual element. Together, the projection and sound systems create an environment where visuals, music, sound effects, and live performances work alongside one another.
Immersive Entertainment Expands Beyond Traditional Attractions
The ApolloDomes project aims to introduce entertainment-led experiences into shopping and leisure destinations. At Gunwharf Quays, the installation provides families with an additional activity beyond shopping and dining, encouraging visitors to spend more time at the waterfront development.
By combining Panasonic’s projection technology, KV2 Audio’s sound systems and Holovis’ creative expertise, the attraction demonstrates how immersive installations can bring theatrical storytelling into everyday public spaces.
The Portsmouth development also highlights the potential for large-scale projection environments to support seasonal entertainment, family attractions and other location-based experiences without requiring a conventional theatre or theme park setting.
