Axiom Holographics win the Edison Innovative Entertainment Design & Technologies Award

A Brisbane hologram zoo pioneer has won a prestigious US award as the company ramps up the rollout of its unique entertainment venues around the world.

Axiom Holographics CEO Bruce Dell inside his Hologram Zoo at Cannon Hill. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

A Brisbane company which is behind the world’s first hologram zoo has won a gold medal at the prestigious Edison Awards in the US.

Founded by inventor and entrepreneur Bruce Dell, Axiom Holographics won the Innovative Entertainment Design & Technologies Award at the awards ceremony held at Fort Myers, Florida.

Named after famed inventor Thomas Edison, the awards focus on new product and service development, marketing and human-centred design. Past winners are the who’s in innovative technology including billionaire Elon Musk and Apple founder Steve Jobs.

Dell says the award came as a shock.

“At first I was reluctant to enter because I didn’t think we would win – if Elon Musk won it why would we?” he says. “But much to our surprise we got the gold medal.

“They take it very seriously in America and afterwards we got approached by a lot of business people with a lot of proposals for everything.”

Axiom Holographics CEO Bruce Dell inside his Hologram Zoo at Cannon Hill.

What the judges liked was that Axiom has found a new cost-effective way to make their holograms. They can do it for around 5 per cent of the average cost – which can run into millions – with much higher quality.

Axiom opened their first hologram zoo in a 1000sqm warehouse in Cannon Hill 18 months ago and they are headquartered in Murarrie on Brisbane’s south east. They also have a manufacturing facility at Yatala.

Dell says the company is now rolling out its hologram zoo technology around the world.

“We’ve sold ones in Melbourne, Darwin, two in Austin (Texas), one in Connecticut and four in China and the one in Shanghai is already up and running,” he says.

“There are 15 more where we are finalising contracts with so it looks like we are about to turn into a global chain of hologram entertainment centres coming from Australia.

“I think we will be doing a lot of expanding. A lot of big American investors are now coming to us saying if you have more money you can grow your company quicker.”

Bridge milestone

BESIX Watpac recently achieved a major milestone at $300m Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.

The company is delivering the pedestrian and cyclists bridge for Brisbane City Council as part of the Connect Brisbane consortium and it exceeded initial workforce targets with 53 locals now employed as apprentices on the soon-to-be iconic landmark.

On the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge: L-R: Development Manager Tim Lyne, apprentice Xavier Farrell, graduate safety co-ordinator Morsal Zamany and Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project director Rowan Riggall.

BESIX Watpac CEO Mark Baker says the success of the project was thanks in large part to the local talent employed to help bring it to life.

“The original target for the project was to employ 50 apprentices which was initially seen as a significant challenge,” he says.

“We’re really pleased that Kangaroo Point Green Bridge will not only be an iconic landmark for Brisbane but will stand as a reminder for the more than 50 apprentices who kick started their career on the project.

“We believe in building the best across all aspects of our operations, and this includes careers.”

The 470m bridge will span from the Alice-Edward streets corner in the CBD to the Thornton Street Ferry Wharf on the other side. The design includes a boutique bar and restaurant at the city end.