Published on: 25 August 2026

Portals: technology and art that connect people

Picture this: a sculpture standing in Dublin, Philadelphia and Manila at the same time, where every passer-by looks straight into a face on another continent in real time. That's Portals: a global network of installations, developed and managed by the Portals Organization. Across four continents, they connect passers-by with each other. How does it work? Every minute, the livestream switches location, creating spontaneous encounters between people on different continents.

The project is the brainchild of Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys. His mission: more empathy, understanding and human connection in an increasingly polarised world.

Technology you can rely on 24/7

The steel structure forms the foundation: robust enough for a permanent outdoor location, precise enough to let the built-in technology function properly. A concrete shell around it gives each Portal its monumental, architectural look.

Behind that sleek, minimalist design lies craftsmanship down to the smallest detail. A Portal is managed entirely remotely and runs all year round, in every condition: hot summers, cold winters, sun, rain and snow, day and night.

This means every Portal is adapted to the location where it will stand. The standard choice is S235 structural steel, but the team sometimes uses other materials too. If a Portal is placed close to the coast, where the weather hits harder, the team, for example, opts for high-grade stainless steel with extra corrosion protection.

Installers placing the steel frame of a Portal Technician fitting the technology into the steel housing
The making of Portals, by Leon Laskowski.

Instant pricing, fast delivery

Since 2022, the Portals Organization has ordered metal parts for its installations from 247TailorSteel. Choosing 247TailorSteel was based on three factors the team still names as decisive: production quality, digital order processing and delivery speed. Because every Portal is unique and built for its specific environment, it also helps to get the price of every adjustment instantly.

Being able to upload a CAD file directly and receive an instant quote significantly simplifies our project planning.

Reliable lead times, even for ambitious schedules

For a project that operates worldwide, schedule certainty is the top priority. The team works to a tight schedule with local installers and partners, always to the highest quality standards. Delivering the requested products on the chosen day, at the right quality standards, makes all the difference.

Engineer working on the 3D model of a Portal

We particularly want to highlight the direct, personal contact with our account manager. He helps us not only with technical questions about the software, but also with successfully delivering on sometimes very ambitious timelines.

Fast quotes, reliable lead times and a digital platform that simply works: that's what the Portals team expects from 247TailorSteel, and what it gets. No surprises, no renegotiating. Parts arrive when they need to, which makes working together a lot more pleasant.

Steel that connects the world

The Portals network now connects seven countries across four continents. Every new installation calls for new steel parts, new deadlines and new requirements for corrosion resistance and dimensional accuracy. 247TailorSteel makes sure the parts arrive on site from 48 hours after ordering: on the dot, on demand, on time.

Portal with an audience in New York

The network, which started with two Portals in Vilnius and Lublin, keeps growing this way. And the steel structure behind it grows right along with it. In January 2026, the first Portal in Asia opened in Manila, and in March 2026, Piauí in Brazil followed as the first Portal in South America. With every new location, the network grows, and so does the demand for precision steelwork.