Science Fiction Exhibition
This blockbuster exhibition by one of London’s most prominent museums would feature some 300 objects from its Film collection. We were one of four shortlisted teams commissioned to deliver a storyline and a spatial layout that would showcase the objects in an engaging sequence and accommodate target visitor numbers required for the exhibition to be commercially viable. The exhibition was to open during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public gatherings would be allowed with social distancing in place.
Location
London, UK
Client
Undisclosed
Team
Unknown Works (Architect and Design Lead + Graphic Design)
Squint Opera (AV Software Design and Production)
Nulty Lighting Design (Lighting Design)
Charcoal Blue (Acoustic/ Sound Design)
Coda to Coda (Sonic Design)
Price and Myers (Structural Design)
Max Fordham (Environmental Design)
Sapna Nundloll (Space + Movement Consultant)
Sysco (Technical Specification)
Liam Young (Friend of project/ Culture/ Philosophy)
Philip Beesley (Friend of project/ Art)
Services
Movement planning
Flow/ Space balancing
Bid support
COVID-19 preparedness
Area
1,000 square metres
People count – Total
250 k visits over 6-month exhibition period
People count – Peak
65-75 visitors per 15-minute interval
Modelling the Hero’s Journey
The team presented a forward-moving, double-route exhibition layout tapping into narrative devices offered by the "Hero's Journey".
We created a simple spreadsheet model that provided flow assessments throughout the design process. This allowed us to test and tweak visitor journeys as they were developed so that the pacing of the narrative matched the available space. It also helped ensure spaces were balanced, neither underutilised nor clogged, and could accommodate a streamlined flow at peak time.
Keeping things as simple as possible whilst giving the design team the flexibility to prototype narratives rapidly, the model accounted for five activity types, for which we also provided guidance on comfortable and safe densities. Expanding on Fruin’s LoS scales on circulation and queueing, two new scales were developed based on average body size references for seating and loungeing to view extra large displays.
We also advised on general flow directions, the location of signage, and helped the team with ideas that could create deeper visitor engagement and a voluntary participation from the audience to make the journey a success in spite of COVID-19.