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Bridging Tradition and Technology: Audiovisual Solutions for the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan

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The Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent represents one of the major cultural and educational developments of modern Uzbekistan. Initiated in 2018 by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the complex unites traditional Islamic architectural forms with advanced museum technologies.

The building is crowned by a 65-meter dome and features four 34-meter portals on each side. Inside, visitors experience interactive exhibitions dedicated to the spiritual and scientific legacy of the Islamic world.

Among the exhibits are rare manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an, including the ancient Qur’an of Uthman, repatriated to Uzbekistan as part of the presidential initiative.

The global cultural community is looking forward to the upcoming opening of a unique project, the scale and innovation of which have no analogues.

Professional Team

The AV concept and implementation were carried out by a team of highly qualified specialists from several partner companies. 

The main partner for the creative and visual components is Sila Sveta, a leading studio specializing in large-scale multimedia and projection projects, which handled the setup, installation, and commissioning of Barco video systems, as well as the development of the artistic concept and show content.

System assembly and final calibration of the L-Acoustics sound reinforcement system were performed by YASTREB Sound, an Uzbek company with extensive experience in professional audio integration and rental service.

Sound Creations, the distributor of professional AV equipment in Uzbekistan, was responsible for system supply, acoustic modeling, and user training.

47 Barco Projectors for Architectural 3D Mapping

To celebrate the opening of the Center, Sila Sveta produced a permanent architectural projection show on the north façade—an immersive visual narrative portraying the cultural history of Uzbekistan.

The content and storyline were developed jointly with the Center’s Academic Council, combining historical authenticity with artistic expression.

“During the show, the façade comes alive: more than forty characters from different eras guide the viewer through the nation’s history, culture, and achievements,” — the Sila Sveta team shared.

The show quickly became one of Tashkent’s new landmarks, attracting spectators even during late-night rehearsals.

A total of 47 Barco QDX-W45 projectors were installed on the north façade—each delivering 40,000 lumens of brightness.

“Our task was to illuminate the entire façade and implement a precise projection mapping setup,” — explained Mursal Mamedov.

The Barco QDX-W45 is a 3-chip DLP laser-phosphor projector with native 4K resolution, offering outstanding contrast, color accuracy, and luminous flux—ideal for large-scale architectural mapping.

Multiple projectors were stacked to increase total brightness and achieve uniform façade coverage. The projectors were mounted in five custom-built towers, each engineered for the optimal projection angle and distance.

  According to Barco engineer Martin Wood, “The towers integrate seamlessly into the architecture, emphasizing the scale of the projection and becoming a natural part of the complex’s visual identity.”

Precise geometric alignment and brightness calibration were performed using Barco Projector Toolset, enabling remote control of all projectors and unified system management through a single interface.

The result is a visually stunning façade projection—hundreds of square meters transformed into a living light canvas where movement, color, and story reveal Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.

L-Acoustics K3 System for Outdoor Events

The client required a high-performance sound reinforcement system capable of reproducing both music and speech with clarity and consistency during projection shows.

The audience area covers approximately 147 meters wide by 55 meters deep. Sound Creations engineers performed detailed electroacoustic modeling in L-Acoustics Soundvision, providing the foundation for the system design.

Two main clusters were deployed on either side of the grand staircase leading to the building. Each cluster comprises:

8 × L-Acoustics K3 full-range line array elements;
4 × KS21 subwoofers per side, configured in cardioid mode to minimize rearward sound pressure and reduce reflections from the façade.

This configuration ensures even coverage with less than ±1.5 dB SPL variation across the listening area, maintaining excellent speech intelligibility and musical fidelity.

“The key advantage of this setup is its efficiency. A single LA7.16 amplified controller drives eight K3 elements, while one LA4X powers four KS21 subwoofers. As a result, the entire façade area is covered by only four amplifiers,” — explained Evgeny Shparenkov, Technical Director of Sound Creations.

This approach significantly reduces the amplifier count without compromising power or system stability.

At the system’s core, a L-Acoustics P1 processor handles signal routing, measurement (M1), and AVB/AES signal conversion for redundant audio streaming. The P1 provides precise system calibration and integration with the L-Acoustics Network Manager for real-time monitoring and control.

All components are built for outdoor use, featuring weather-resistant enclosures and vibration protection, ensuring long-term reliability in demanding environmental conditions.

System installation and final tuning were carried out by certified engineers from YASTREB Sound, ensuring optimal configuration and stable performance under continuous operation.

Audio Control with Xilica

The Center’s internal audio infrastructure is managed through a Xilica Solaro FR1-D digital signal processor—chosen for its flexibility, modular design, and networked architecture.

The processor, featuring Dante 64×64, an integrated network port, and 16 modular I/O card slots, allows scalable adaptation to evolving project requirements.

Custom user presets provide intuitive source selection and routing—from media servers and microphones to L-Acoustics amplifiers and distributed audio zones—without the need for an on-site engineer.

The system configuration was designed in Xilica Designer, enabling precise signal flow programming and the possibility of future expansion within the Center’s multimedia infrastructure.

Its clean, intuitive interface simplifies operation while maintaining professional-grade control over complex signal paths.

Results

This project demonstrates seamless collaboration between multidisciplinary engineering and creative teams—combining architectural vision, technical expertise, and artistic innovation.

The result is a robust, scalable, and future-ready multimedia ecosystem that integrates sound, light, and architecture into a unified experience.

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan stands as a remarkable example of how technology and culture can interact harmoniously—speaking to audiences through a universal language of light and sound.

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