Ideum Teams With New Mexico BioPark Society and ABQ Biopark to Bring the Antarctic to Life at New Penguin Chill Exhibit
Interactive Penguin Exhibits Take Visitors on an Expedition to the Sub-Antarctic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ideum is pleased to announce that a suite of interactive exhibits developed by the firm are now open at the new Penguin Chill habitat at the Albuquerque BioPark. For this groundbreaking immersive exhibition, Ideum designed and built educational exhibits that take visitors on a research expedition from the southern tip of South America to the Antarctic Peninsula. The result is a vivid narrative experience in which visitors assume the role of scientists bound for the Antarctic. The exhibition's innovative use of interactive technology and a rich variety of interpretive content combine to create a colorful visitor experience unique to the world of zoos and aquariums. The state-of-the-art indoor habitat is also home to king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins. The experience opened to the public on July 23, 2019, after two years of development.
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are introduced to the temperate tundra shorelines of southern South America. Rockwork, rustic architectural finishes, and a dynamic light sculpture that uses live NOAA data to simulate the aurora australis work together to create an immersive sense of place.
As guests continue their journey, they board the research vessel RV BioPark. Here, Ideum has transformed a flexible exhibit space between penguin viewing areas into the observation deck of an offshore research ship. Once aboard, visitors look out over the ship's bow at a simulated Antarctic vista. Interactive exhibits let visitors gather data from other research vessels, observe real research specimens and samples, and make simulated video calls to real-life scientists.
Visitors then disembark and arrive at the underwater viewing area, where they "scan" a simulated ice core to explore the data it contains and use the motion of their bodies to steer virtual penguins through obstacles in search of food. Calving ice sounds and Weddell seal vocalizations connect visitors with the underwater world they are observing. A selfie photo station near the exit takes animated gifs of visitors, which they can email to themselves. The application also asks visitors to complete a brief survey and provides an opportunity to take part in environmental mindfulness pledges.
Ideum completed the project in collaboration with HB Construction, VGHA Architects, S2 and Associates, and Scientific Art Studio. Ideum developed all custom software for the exhibits and integrated AV solutions. In addition to their deep involvement in the exhibit fabrication process, Ideum provided design and narrative direction, project supervision, and interpretive content consultation.
Watch the video to see Penguin Chill in action: https://ideum.com/portfolio/penguin-chill
About Ideum
Ideum is an innovative design company based in Corrales, New Mexico. The firm focuses on creating the next generation of visitor experiences that blend the physical and digital realms. Along with its Creative Services software group, Ideum designs and produces integrated and hardened large-scale multitouch tables and touch walls for museums, educational institutions, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. It has developed multitouch tables and screens since 2008, and its products have been sold in more than 40 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.ideum.com or contact Esther Lombardi at (505) 792-1110 ext. 1. Ideum is a trademark of Ideum, Inc.
SOURCE Ideum
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