Located within the venerable halls of London’s Natural History Museum, “Our Story with David Attenborough” is an immersive experience that transcends traditional exhibition formats. This recent addition to the Jerwood Gallery showcases the intertwined histories of Earth and humanity through a groundbreaking fulldome-style presentation that invites visitors into a 360-degree cinematic journey. At a time when immersive experiences are gaining momentum globally, this installation stands out for combining cutting-edge technology with storytelling driven by one of the most respected voices in natural history, Sir David Attenborough. The exhibition reflects a growing trend toward multisensory educational programming that seeks to inspire environmental stewardship and wonder through art and science.
Jonnie Hughes, co-founder and director of Open Planet Studios, the producer behind this innovative film, encapsulates the vision driving the project: “Our aim was to immerse audiences in the biggest story of all time and to help them understand the instrumental part they play in this story.” Hughes describes the experience as “like nothing yet created,” fully enveloping visitors with immersive surround sound, projection-mapped visuals, and cinematic storytelling that transports viewers from the microscopic to the cosmic, from past epochs to possible futures. This new type of fulldome presentation leverages high-resolution 8K content played across five projection-mapped surfaces, pushing the boundaries of what is technologically feasible within museum environments.
The seamless synchronisation and powerhouse hardware that bring this ambitious vision to life are key highlights of the venue’s technical prowess. Bild Studios, principal contractor on the project, entrusted Hive’s media control systems to power the complex immersive setup. David Bajt, co-founder of Bild Studios, praises Hive’s media servers for their reliability and performance: “Hive offered a reliable, high-performance solution for our large-scale mapping needs – all at a highly cost-effective price point.” The Hive platform’s ability to deliver sub-frame accurate synchronisation across 17 projectors and 50 speakers ensures fluid, glitch-free storytelling that heightens the emotional impact of the narrative. This technical delivery also exemplifies the fruitful collaboration between creative concept designers, integrators, and technology providers, showcasing the integral role of cutting-edge media servers in modern immersive exhibitions.
Architecturally, transforming the Jerwood Gallery into a fulldome-like environment is a feat of spatial and audiovisual design. The gallery’s walls and floor become blank canvases for the projection surfaces, enabling a fully encompassing experience that goes beyond traditional flat screens or simple domes. Integrating 17 Epson projectors and a meticulously crafted soundtrack by composer Nick Powell, the installation achieves an enveloping sensory environment where visitors feel both part of and observers to Earth’s unfolding story. This approach aligns with emerging trends in planetarium and fulldome venues worldwide, where the embrace of hybrid projection systems and versatile content fulfillment creates new dimensions in audience engagement—blurring lines between education, entertainment, and environmental advocacy.
Such immersive venues are increasingly vital in bridging the gap between audiences and the urgent themes of climate change and biodiversity loss. By leveraging iconic figures like Sir David Attenborough and sophisticated media technology, the Natural History Museum sets a benchmark for combining scientific storytelling with emotional resonance. These installations not only entertain but educate diverse audiences, encouraging stewardship and hope—a message Jonnie Hughes emphasizes as “most importantly, hopeful about our future.” As immersive media continues to evolve, this project underscores how thoughtful integration of technology and narrative amplifies the impact of environmental education in a uniquely experiential form.
“Our Story with David Attenborough” is more than a special exhibit; it exemplifies how immersive environments can redefine museum experiences, making fulldome media crucial to the future of public engagement. Hive’s involvement also signals the expanding role of specialized media control systems in supporting complex content workflows and real-time calibration, setting new standards for reliability and creative flexibility. Looking ahead, such venues will likely inspire more collaborations between planetary science, environmental advocacy, and immersive media creators, facilitating access to transformative educational experiences globally. For planetarium directors, immersive media professionals, and educators worldwide, this initiative acts as a beacon demonstrating the power of technology and storytelling in shaping a sustainable global consciousness.
Originally reported by Rebecca Hardy via blooloop.com on 2025-09-08 04:00:00.
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