Revolutionizing Entertainment: The Sphere Las Vegas Project

The Sphere in Las Vegas is a revolutionary entertainment venue that offers an unparalleled, immersive experience. Wrapped in high-tech LED displays, its exterior captivates viewers with stunning visual effects visible throughout the city. Inside, it boasts 4D capabilities, allowing guests to feel the spectacle through sensory elements like rumbling thunder or a cool breeze. With a seating capacity of up to 18,600 and spanning 875,000 square feet, it stands as a giant in the event space, hosting concerts, immersive shows, sporting events, and more.

Challenge

The Sphere’s ambitious design presented multiple challenges, particularly the integration of cutting-edge technology to create the world's largest LED screen exterior. Achieving seamless visual effects on such a massive scale required precise engineering and advanced solutions.

Key Issues:

Ensuring uninterruptible power for the data center and LED loads.
Effectively cooling high-density equipment in an energy-efficient manner.
Installing server cabinets and hot aisle containment within uniquely shaped rooms, adhering to the building’s curved architecture.

A photo showing the construction of the Las Vegas Sphere

Solution

To meet these challenges, our team collaborated closely with the design team and engineers to develop and implement efficient, adaptable solutions:

Power Backup:
We assisted in the design and layout of a 4MW UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system to ensure reliable power for the data center and LED systems.
Cooling Efficiency:
On-site installation and layout of server cabinets and in-row cooling units were completed across various rooms, designed to match the building's unique curvature. This approach allowed the use of chilled water in-row cooling units, which were precisely cut on-site to fit the space and shape, ensuring optimal airflow and cooling efficiency.
Custom Cabinet and Containment Installation:
We installed server cabinets and hot aisle containment systems, tailoring them on-site to fit the building's distinctive curved walls, ensuring efficient operation and maintenance accessibility.

The Sphere in Las Vegas - It’s a 18,000 seat spherical shaped entertainment arena costing $2 billion. The latest tourism attraction features an ever changing light show.

Results

The Sphere project was completed on time, and our innovative approach using off-the-shelf in-row cooling products provided a repeatable and predictable design solution across over 30 data rooms. By employing chilled water in-row cooling units, the solution achieved approximately 30% greater efficiency compared to traditional perimeter cooling methods while also providing greater flexibility for future growth.

Key Outcomes:

30% Efficiency Boost:
The in-row cooling system was 30% more efficient than traditional methods, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
40% Reduction in Floorspace:
The efficient layout and cooling system design allowed for a 40% reduction in floor space, maximizing the available area for server cabinets in each room.

The Sphere project in Las Vegas was a resounding success. This world-record-setting venue spans 875,000 square feet and stands 366 feet high, featuring the largest spherical structure ever built. Its innovative design, which includes a high-resolution LED screen exterior and immersive 4D experiences, has redefined global entertainment standards. The Sphere has quickly become a model for future venues worldwide, influencing industry practices and setting new benchmarks for venue design and operation.