Genelec Smart IP brings immersive storytelling to Portlantis

Portlantis is an exciting new visitor and exhibition centre for the Port of Rotterdam, located at the port’s western-most point in Maasvlakte, The Netherlands. To help immerse visitors in the port’s fascinating story, systems integrator Ata Tech BV and project sound designer Danny Weijermans selected Genelec’s 4410 Smart IP loudspeakers to deliver sound across every floor.

First opened in early 2025, the educational space invites visitors to journey through the port’s 100-year history, experience the port of today, and take a glimpse into the future. This modern, multi-use building spans five rotated spaces, catering for school trips, tourists and business meetings.

Connected by a 22-metre-tall atrium, the three exhibit levels host their own individual displays for visitors to discover, covering the port’s history, its impact on the economy, as well as its climate-neutral goals and exciting innovations. Each floor has been designed to engage visitors with touch screens, motion sensors, games, interactive labs, AR and VR experiences. The goal was to bring this all together into one unified AV system, streamlining the sound as visitors walk through each connected space.

“The brief was to create a three-dimensional experience with sound that enables you to ‘feel’ rather than just ‘hear’,” explained Weijermans. “From very early on I knew that the project would need many small loudspeakers on every level rather than a few large ones – this avoids the impression of sound coming from one specific direction and creates a smoother flow between exhibits.” Ata Tech installed over 80 Genelec 4410 Smart IP loudspeakers over the three exhibit floors, delivering coverage, clarity and intelligibility, which was essential in such a complex and noisy space.

“The centre’s acoustic landscape reflects the port environment with sounds like hammers on metal, wind turbines and birds, but also more abstract music that takes you on a journey,” continues Weijermans. “The 4410s bring these natural harbour sounds to life, ensuring visitors feel as though they are in the heart of the action.”

The building’s open, central atrium created its own challenge, with the sound from each individual exhibit needing to blend into one balanced, central soundscape. Together with exhibition designer Kossmanndejong, Weijermans meticulously planned the location of each speaker for optimum directivity, whilst also designing a specific tempo across every level to create a complete sound in the central space.

“Genelec loudspeakers provide the most natural sound. Even in a large space, you really get to experience the port in a vibrant, lively way that flows beautifully. With so much advanced technology used throughout the centre, the audio really brings everything together for a captivating experience,” said Weijermans.

Genelec’s innovative Smart IP technology made the installation process incredibly simple, delivering power, audio and loudspeaker management over a single CAT cable using PoE technology. Setup and configuration was equally straightforward thanks to Smart IP Manager software.

When it came to control, Pharos’ control solutions were integrated to create one central control system for all AV outputs, bringing all core technologies into a single, unified, easy-to-manage system. Pharos panels are installed at various points across the site to give staff easy access to audio, video and lighting controls including volume, site announcements and rebooting options. “If we decide we need to increase the sound level on one particular floor, it takes just seconds to do – it couldn’t be easier,” added Weijermans.

“The integration allows staff to not only control the sound system but also see the status of the speakers directly, so we can see if they are still online, give any warnings if necessary, switch indicator LEDs on or off and view relevant information all from one place,” explained Bas Hoksbergen, business development director at Pharos.

“It’s great to walk around Portlantis and see how our touch panels are used to control the complete installation – not only the lighting and show elements but also directly integrating with the Genelec Smart IP system. We love how it’s turned out!”