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T2 Attraction at Universal Studios, Hollywood
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Universal Studios, having had great success with the Terminator
2 (T2) attraction in Florida, decided to bring it west to their
Hollywood theme park. The 3D movie, directed by James Cameron and
starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is, frame-by-frame, the most expensive
movie ever made. The attraction is an integration of the 3D movie
effect with a live theatrical production and numerous special effects
within the theater. It culminates, of course, in a spectacular finale,
the 3D effects combining with explosive in-house effects--giving
the visitor a real sense of being in the movie.
In creating the ultimate T2 experience, a tremendous amount had
to take place behind the scenes in regard to audio/visual effects,
lighting control, steam and LN2, and hydraulic systems. Syska Hennessy
Group provided a number of services in developing these areas, including:
MEP systems specifications and design; the contractor selection
process for MEP; MEP construction phase assistance; coordination
of all show vendor information; and review and advice on client
change orders and disputes.
Exterior of T2 Theatre
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The Building
Syska Hennessy Group faced a number of unique challenges with
this project, both in building and show integration. In regard to
the building itself, the location, atop an existing parking structure,
posed numerous challenges with facility component integration--for
instance the structural system, utility routing, electrical services,
and efficiency. Because of the unique location, some creative routing
of utilities within the structure was required. Power lines, steam
and plumbing were routed through the ceiling of the parking lot.
Syska Hennessy Group coordinated this effort, minimizing cores in
the beams and adhering to certain clearances within the garage.
The parking structure was also used to run chiller piping to the
facility, as the central plant was installed in a different building.
With a very long operational day followed by frequent overnight
maintenance, T2 is essentially a 24-hour facility. The attraction
is also critical and downtime had to be minimized, therefore the
installation of a (2) 330-ton redundant chiller system was crucial.
In addition, two smaller, pony-type (30-ton) chillers were installed
to allow for maintenance of primary chillers, as well as provide
an energy-efficient central plant for after-hour operation. For
energy efficiency, an additional building, a non-critical multi-use
venue (MUV), was designed to be served from the central plant. Syska
Hennessy Group designed a Direct Digital control system, so if a
primary chiller goes down, the MUV gets shut down--while keeping
T2 operational--saving money and energy. The facility is efficient
in its systems, as all mechanical units have economizers.
Research on the Florida attraction helped Syska Hennessy Group
with other systems installation--for instance, figuring out projected
electrical loads for this facility, and designing the substation
serving the facility based on real data projected loads rather than
connected loads. We were then able to coordinate the incoming services
with Universal Studios' existing medium voltage electrical infrastructure.
Fire alarm, security, and paging systems all had to be integrated
with parkwide existing systems.
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Fog engulfs the audience during T2 at
Universal Studios
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The Show
Integration of systems directly related to the show provided some
exciting design challenges as well, most notably with the fog effect.
The finale of the show calls for engulfing the audience completely
in fog. It was important that the fog travel at speeds that would
result in engulfment within seconds, providing the same effect at
the front of the auditorium as the back. This was achieved by designing
a high-pressure, 100psi steam system and mixing steam with LN2.
The fog is shot from cannons at the bottom of the screen. A number
of issues had to be addressed regarding the fog, like the coordination
of the timing of the steam and LN2 mixture. Humidity in the theater
had to remain constant, as fluctuations would affect the steam.
Equipment used for T2 show.
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Also, special attention had to be paid to wetness on the stage
resulting from the steam. For this, pipes were sloped properly so
the water would flow back into steam traps. And for fog removal,
an air return from the back of the theater was designed that draws
the fog out of the room.
Other work directly related to the show included the installation
of a sound system by Sound Deluxe, for which Syska engineers utilized
K-rated transformers and isolated ground systems to mitigate any
harmonic concerns that may be generated. Also: the interfacing of
all show control elements--like hydraulics for stage doors and gun-toting
robots, motors under seats to provide seat movement synchronized
with the movie, the design of a theatrical dimming Strand lighting
system, and projection room climate control.
For the pre-show and outside line areas, air systems were integrated
in an interesting way. The system draws 100% outside air in from
the top of the building, bringing fresh air on to the people gathered
in the pre-show area. That air is then drawn from fans below this
area and brought down on the people waiting in line outside via
jet nozzles. These people are therefore treated to cool air and
a misting system while waiting to enter the attraction. The sweeping
motion helps to eliminate odors in the pre-show area stemming from
700+ people standing in it for about fifteen minutes at a time.
See It!
Syska Hennessy Group met the many systems integration challenges
involved in designing this facility. The job required an incredible
attention to detail, from massive chiller systems all the way down
to tiny cue lights on the stage for actors. The result is a thrilling
attraction that provides the ultimate 3D experience.
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