Entech Collaborates with BRC Imagination Arts on Custom Immersive Show Elements for SCADstory Atlanta
- Entech Innovative
- Nov 7
- 5 min read
Entech Innovative Engineering once again had the opportunity to collaborate with BRC Imagination Arts, this time on an exciting new chapter for the Savannah College of Art and Design. Their latest immersive attraction, SCADstory Atlanta, transports guests into a narrative journey that celebrates SCAD’s history, culture, and creative influence.
Designed as a fully immersive storytelling experience, SCADstory combines artistry with cutting-edge technology, blending visual spectacle, motion, and interactivity to engage audiences of all ages. As with past collaborations, Entech’s role was to take on BRC’s bold creative vision and make it technically possible - engineering and fabricating custom show doors and a moving, floating acorn centerpiece that had to be as functional and reliable as they were visually striking.
Project Overview
BRC initially presented a deceptively simple request: create a hidden door that disappears into the wall, leave a piece of artwork floating in midair, then retract that artwork into the next space before vanishing completely. Commercial automatic doors or hinged solutions weren’t an option - this required a custom mechanism.
Entech engineered a system where the doors retract several inches and then slide into concealed side pockets in a matter of seconds. The twist: the doors carried fixed artwork with integrated lighting. When they opened, the piece appeared to hang suspended in midair at the center of the doorway.
As Senior Project Manager Eric Roehl explained, “The real challenge was that the doorway had to be hidden in plain sight. Tracks on the floor weren’t allowed, so everything had to be done from overhead.”
Engineering Challenges
Every element had to be designed with precision and practicality in mind. The entire system was installed on the second floor of an active school building, meaning components had to be modular enough to fit into elevators or be carried up exterior stairs. The framing had to ensure that when the doors reset, they blended seamlessly into the wall every single time. Engineering Manager Alex McFee stated, “Careful consideration of site conditions and the inclusion of multiple adjustment points allowed us to fine-tune the mechanism relative to surrounding static elements, achieving a seamless final fit without any on-site modifications.”
Safety was also critical. The space was monitored by motion sensors and pressure tapes, which had to function even under heavy fog effects. These redundancies ensured the system remained safe for the public while still delivering theatrical impact.
The Floating Acorn
For SCAD, the acorn symbolizes potential, strength, and resilience - the idea that “mighty oaks from little acorns do grow.” In SCADstory Atlanta, it becomes a centerpiece of the narrative, hovering in midair before drawing guests into the next room.
Behind the scenes, Entech developed a belt-driven overhead track system with a specialized arm that lowers the acorn into position. At the right cue, it glides back into a concealed pocket, vanishing just as the story pulls guests forward. Roehl noted that the transition sequence designed by BRC is “impressive to say the least.”
Fabrication & Testing
The main framing was fabricated from steel to provide stiffness across long spans. Doors were designed to integrate with BRC’s finish contractors so that when closed, they looked like part of the wall. The acorn itself and final finish work came from BRC and their specialty partners. The fabrication process involved custom-bent sheet metal carriages and custom welded modular gantry tracks. The rolling elements carrying the doors and acorn were carefully aligned during assembly to ensure smooth motion and consistent performance across the full span of the system.
Reliability was proven through accelerated life-cycle testing. The system was run in continuous loops for days in Entech’s shop - compressing years’ worth of use into just a few days. After installation, the team repeated the process with more than 24 hours of nonstop cycling before handover.Cycle testing is a key part of understanding the function, behavior, and reliability of custom machines. In the factory and on-site, the system was put through continuous loops to simulate extended use, confirming smooth operation and durability. This kind of rigorous testing ensures the equipment can be used and maintained reliably for years to come.
Installation & Integration
Installation unfolded in phases. The first involved positioning the mechanisms within an empty framed-out space, after which finishes and show elements were built around them. The second phase brought system calibration, show control integration, and multiple site visits to fine-tune movements as finishes were applied.
By project completion, the doors and acorn were performing beyond expectations. Roehl reflected that one of the BRC team leaders even remarked - as he recalled it - “We have never put more technology per square foot in a space than we have here.”
Outcome & Impact
Since opening, SCADstory Atlanta has become a centerpiece of the university’s creative campus, welcoming thousands of visitors, students, and prospective artists into the world of SCAD through story-driven technology. The finished systems are more than just mechanical solutions; they are storytelling devices that heighten immersion, surprise, and wonder. From the acorn’s symbolic movement to the invisible doors that guide transitions, Entech’s engineering allowed BRC’s creative vision to shine.
Matthew Solari - VP, Creative & Storyat BRC Imagination Arts said, “Entech has a rare ability to take a bold creative vision and make it real. Their engineering solutions for SCADstory Atlanta helped us achieve seamless transitions that feel like pure magic. It’s always a joy to collaborate with partners who understand that storytelling lives in both the art and the mechanics behind it.”
Roehl summed it up simply: “The amount of detail SCAD and BRC put into the space and the show is impressive. The show is amazing - cutting-edge technology integrated with fixed sets to tell the story of SCAD.”
Lead Engineer McFee said “The creativity, collaboration, and mutual respect on this team was outstanding. Working alongside such talented partners on this project was a joy. What we achieved together on this project perfectly showcases what happens when engineering and artistry work hand in hand. Our moving elements blend with BRC’s show design and the SCAD students’ art to create a seamless immersive experience.”
SCADstory Atlanta is another example of how Entech Innovative Engineering partners with visionary creatives to merge art, engineering, and imagination. From hidden doors that dissolve into walls to a symbol of creativity that floats before your eyes, this project showcases what’s possible when technical mastery meets creative ambition.
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