Wonderlab, National Science and Media Museum

Bradford, UK

Wonderlab is a vivid, multi-sensory gallery that boldly explores space and science in an engaging way for a new generation of visitors.

The new Ab Rogers designed Wonderlab gallery is a £1.8m facility which features twenty permanent exhibitions on the science of light, sound and imagery.

In response to a drop-in visitor numbers and concerns over future funding, the National Media Museum in Bradford has undergone a period of reinvention, emerging as the National Science and Media Museum, with a refined remit and a renewed focus on the future.

One of the most exciting additions to the museum’s offering is the new Ab Rogers designed Wonderlab gallery, a £1.8m facility which features twenty permanent exhibitions on the science of light, sound and imagery. Key exhibits include a musical laser tunnel, anti-gravity mirrors and one of the world’s first 3D-printed zoetrope installations. The gallery has been further bolstered by the arrival of the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft that carried Major Tim Peake to the International Space Station (ISS) and back to earth.

“Our collections across the technology and culture of photography, film and TV are unrivalled, and Wonderlab explores the science behind what makes these things magical in a very hands-on way.”

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Museum Director

Key exhibits include a musical laser tunnel, anti-gravity mirrors and one of the world’s first 3D-printed zoetrope installations.

A computer-generated simulation of noise within the space.

We were commissioned to analyse the acoustic implications of partitioning the event, teaching and demonstration spaces in the Wonderlab gallery as well produce a noise map study to predict how sound would be perceived within the space. This lead to recommendations as to the height of a partial height partition for the event space as well as the amount and position of sound absorption within the main exhibition area. In addition, we provided sound absorption recommendations which outlined the amount of absorption required in the Main Gallery area and additional exhibition spaces in order to control reverberation and noise build-up.

Project Details

Client

National Science and Media Museum

Project cost

£1.8m

Completed

2017

We provided sound absorption recommendations which outlined the amount of absorption required in the Main Gallery area and additional exhibition spaces in order to control reverberation and noise build-up.

Credits

Exhibit designers

Ab Rogers Design

Byron Harrison

Talk to Byron about our acoustic design services.

+44 (0)20 7928 0000

Supporting the industry internationally since 2004

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Byron Harrison

Talk to Byron about our acoustic design services.

Contact Byron

+44 (0)20 7928 0000