Fernbank Museum of Natural History "WildWoods: AGLOW"
“As a longtime client, Fernbank Museum of Natural History approached Thinkwell with an ask: to create a nighttime offering that would activate the old-growth forest that surrounds the museum in the cold, dark winter months.
Before beginning production, Thinkwell conducted market research and created a business model, working with Habo, a strategic consulting studio, to ensure that the final product would be financially viable. As a result, Thinkwell partnered with Fernbank to create an all-new illuminated forest walk-through experience, called WildWoods: AGLOW. Inspired by the native flora and fauna that thrive in the 10 acres of featured woodlands, this multi-sensory experience reveals the wonder of nature and wildlife through an immersive blend of the real environment and glowing displays.
Using captivating illumination, immersive projections, interactive scenography, and an original musical composition, WildWoods: AGLOW immerses guests into a natural nighttime wonderland of biodiversity. Throughout the process, Thinkwell worked hand-in-hand with Fernbank’s science team to ensure every image, color, and sound is an accurate extension of the Fernbank Forest. Along the enchanted path, guests watch as roots magically spread into towering trees, witness oversized seeds emanate with interactive light, behold nocturnal animals that come alive in the night, and engage with larger-than-life glowing and singing mushrooms and more.
The limited-run nighttime experience opened to the public on November 17, 2022 and will run during the winter months through 2026.”
Mushrooms & Mama Seed
The Mushrooms were lit inside with customized lengths of our waterproof Pixel FlexLED 24V RGBW Mid Frequency Group Chip Control. Mama Seed is the large egg shaped structure in the middle of the forest and utilized more of our waterproof Pixel FlexLED 24V RGBW Mid Frequency Group Chip Control to outline Mama Seed. Controlling both elements is our PixlArt 416 controllers and 240W HLG Fanless & Metal Housed Power Supply inside a waterproof enclosure.
Walkway Handrail & Floor Lighting
Throughout the forest under the handrails of the walkway, Neon FlexLED V3 RGB illuminates the boardwalk. The lighting is controlled with our Cinque-LED DMX Dimmer inside waterproof enclosures.
WILDWOODS: AGLOW Sign
The word ‘AGLOW’ was installed utilizing SlimNeon FlexLED (4100K) outlining each letter. SpotFlex LED 42 RGBW (3000K) was installed on the sign to provide uplighting on the letters.
This project has received multiple awards, including the Muse Out-Of-Home Experiential and Immersive category, the Telly Award for Immersive and Immersive in the Museum category, the Notable Built Environmental Award from Core77, and SEGD Global Design Awards.
Media credits: Thinkwell Group