Showtime House Opens To The Public

Showtime House Opens To The Public
Building Melds, Technology, Design With Premium Network's Series
MCN Staff -- Multichannel News, 8/30/2010 10:23:00 AM

Showtime will present an open house for top designers drawing inspiration from its network series and linking them with technology.
Located in midtown Manhattan's Cassa Hotel and Residences at 70 W. 45th Street, the Showtime House will marry high design with new technologies and the premium network's original series Dexter, Nurse Jackie, Weeds, United States of Tara, The Big C, Californication and the upcoming The Borgias, in the top three penthouses of the 48-story building. Debuting Sept. 7 and open through the end of October, this year's showhome -- this marks the third year Showtime is erecting one - is available for Public tours for $15 each, with all proceeds from the ticket sales benefiting the non-profit Harlem Children's Zone.
Among this year's house highlights are John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon collaborating with HP to create out-of-the-box technology-meets-design elements including: Weeds-inspired wall designs created with revolutionary HP Wallskins technology; custom lampshades printed with HP latex technology; and innovative multimedia installations that employ an HP TouchSmart PC.
Elsewhere, Jeff Andrews -- decorator to Dexter executive producer and star Michael C. Hall -- integrates state-of-the-art LG Electronics technology into his "refuge" by using an HD video projector to create an atmospheric experience. The room also features an ultra-slim LED HDTV with wireless Blu-ray Disc playback and LG's innovative, and an "Art Cool" air conditioner to frame a stylized photo from the serial killer series.
Using chromo-therapy techniques and interactive motion technology, Stephen Chung and Matthias Altwicker partnered with MIT graduates to reveal an oasis designed to rejuvenate and recharge The Big C's lead character Cathy.
The Showtime House, like the ones that preceded it, is the personification of the Showtime brand," said Len Fogge, executive vice president, creative, marketing, research and digital media, Showtime Networks, in a statement. "Armed this year with an entirely new group of cutting-edge designers and in a contemporary midtown location, we infused the latest in cutting-edge technology into the house to demonstrate how both entertainment and design are evolving into new forms. These added elements of digital interactivity will add a new dimension to the visitors' experience, providing a deeper connection with our Showtime series."