The University of Alabama turned to Nanolumens to deliver a 55-foot concave LED video wall inside its new $40 million Smart Communities and Innovation Building (SCIB), a facility designed to advance transportation research and sustainable mobility solutions.
The SCIB serves as a collaborative hub for the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Alabama Transportation Institute, local traffic engineering entities and the Alabama Mobility and Power Center. University leaders envisioned the lobby as a space that would make a lasting impression on visitors and reflect the building’s technological mission. A curved LED wall was selected as the focal point.
Flynn Design Services and Davis Architectural worked with Nanolumens to bring the vision to life. Six upper-story windows were sealed to accommodate the wall, which uses NixelFlex curved panels in the center and NixelRigid panels on the sides.
“We met with two manufacturers,” said Trevor Flynn, CTS-D, owner and principal architect for Flynn Design Services. “One had proposed a faceted curve solution, which is essentially flat panels arranged to simulate a curve. Not only did that lack the smooth aesthetic we wanted, but it was more expensive. Nanolumens offered a better alternative with actual curved panels. They proposed using their NixelFlex curved panels for the center of the wall and NixelRigid panels on the sides. That hybrid solution gave us the continuous curve we needed without exceeding the budget.”
The result is a curved LED installation that immediately captures attention and reflects the building’s technological sophistication. From early renderings to structural planning, the project was closely coordinated to ensure both structural and visual integration. The display has become a defining feature of the SCIB, reinforcing its mission to accelerate innovation and connect technology with community impact.
Flynn credited Nanolumens for detailed technical support. “Dan [Rossborough, Director, Strategic Projects] from Nanolumens was invaluable. He helped us plan for everything, including power, data, structure and even the exact curve radius. Nanolumens’ documentation was so precise, and the 3D Revit models were some of the best I’ve ever worked with. I’ve actually used their models on other projects where we had to specify different vendors just because Nanolumens’ tools were that much better.”
Having worked with Nanolumens for over a decade, Flynn expressed confidence in the outcome. “ESB Group handled the installation, so when we came back for the follow-up visit, everything was flawless. The system was running smoothly and the university team was already creating and managing content like pros. That kind of result speaks for itself.”
Nanolumens’ Nixel Series is designed for true curved applications without visible facets and offers pixel pitches from 1.56mm to 9mm. The series supports full customization of size and shape, giving designers flexibility for architectural integration.
