Naturalis Museum: Leiden
Time scale: 2014-2019
Size: 1450m²
My Role: Design lead and Creative direction
Project Overview: The museum set us the challenge of redesigning their dinosaur displays and improving on what was already considered outstanding.There were two learning outcomes: that dinosaurs were living animals that really existed, and that dinosaurs and humans did not co-exist.
The design toolbox borrowed heavily from film and theatre: dramatic lighting, dynamic projection and soundscapes that reverberate through the space. Huge floor-to-ceiling printed mesh gauzes stretch the entire height of the 12-meter gallery creating a rustling, layered effect that evokes the prehistoric landscape from where the dinosaurs emerge. Tricks of lights and mounting work together to suggest movement.
The dinosaurs are the stars of the show, and the gallery is their theatre. And just like a stage, there is no glass between the audience and performer. Where possible, we removed glass cases and asked visitors to instead use their senses: looking, listening, touching. With no glass barriers, you are thrust into their world. A tripartite of superstars take centre stage. Trix, one of the world’s best-preserved T-Rexes, Dirk the Triceratops and the giant, long-necked Camarasaurus who, for the first time, is seen in her entirety thanks to the 12-meter-high ceiling.
The museum was recently crowned European Museum of the Year 2021.
