Inflatable Rugby Ball Venue
promotional venue for Tourism New Zealand’s “100% New Zealand”
Project Details
| Client: | NZ Tourism |
|---|---|
| Fabric Type: | PVC |
| Function: | Architectual |
| Scope of Work: | Design - Fabricate - Install |
| Location: | Eiffel Tower, Champ des Mars, Paris, France |
| Completion: | 2nd October 2007 |
To develop a promotional venue for Tourism New Zealand’s “100% New Zealand” campaign at the 2007 Paris Rugby World Cup.
The iconic 25m long inflated Rugby Ball was designed, engineered and built to accommodate Tourism New Zealand’s “100% New Zealand” campaign.
Inside the venue the internal surface of the ball is used as a 360-degree projection surface to promote New Zealand as a destination. During the 2007 Rugby World Cup the ball was open to the public and with its 360-degree surround imagery and the balls particular acoustics, gave visitors a totally unique “Kiwi” experience.
Visitors entered the Ball via a specially designed revolving air-lock door that maintains the internal pressure of the ball. Specialised monitoring equipment maintains a constant air pressure and air quality in the ball, by controlling two large fans concealed under the internal floor surface, along with the air-conditioning plant.
The Ball’s outer skin is held in place by a large overall ring frame weighted to the ground by a large water ballast sausage.
Inside the Ball, with its 12m stud and large mezzanine floor, 220 people can be accommodated. There is also a stage, bar, toilets, storage, control room and seating areas.
In Paris the Ball was installed in 3 days and remained inflated 24/7 for three weeks. Having withstood heavy rain and thunderstorms, the Ball proved itself as a very robust venue, yet portable and efficient to erect.
The project was highly successful in attracting over 25,000 visitors, in 3 weeks. The visitor feedback was extremely positive and the client was extremely satisfied with the end result.
After the success of the Paris event the Rugby Ball will be displayed again in London (Oct 2008) and Dubai before returning to Auckland in 2011, to coincide with the New Zealand Rugby World Cup.