Siemens' Biggest Urban Sustainability Exhibition

Siemens has launched its new sustainable cities initiative, the Crystal, featuring exhibits created by London interactive design consultancy AllofUs.

 

The Crystal is the world’s largest exhibition focused on urban sustainability, and is unique as it aims to bring together the people who make the decisions about how our cities will look in the future and members of the public.

 

AllofUs was briefed by Siemens to come up with engaging interactive displays on a series of topics including global demographics, urbanisation and climate change.

 

Working closely with Siemens, AllofUs created 10 pieces of content used in seven different exhibits in the Crystal. These include video narratives, touch-screen interactivity and even a game that involves tracking the player’s skeleton – achieved by using Microsoft Kinect cameras.

 

As a significant science based visitor attraction showcasing the best in the world's technological advances, the exhibition aims to inspire young people into jobs within the high-tech industries of tomorrow. The exhibition was designed according to the UK National Curriculum and will provide a firm basis for learning.

 

Rob York, Project Manager at AllofUs, said: “This exhibition is aimed at everyone from town planners and politicians to school children, so it was a real challenge to create elements that tell a story and provoke questions and interest at all levels of understanding. Knowing that this work as part of the Crystal will have an impact on future thinking for urban planning was a real incentive to make it as engaging as possible.”

 

The Crystal is a flagship project for the regeneration of East London and a major contribution by Siemens to the Mayor of London's vision for London to be a powerhouse of green economy, driving jobs and growth.

 

The exhibition opened on September 29th in London’s Royal Victoria Docks as part of the Newham Waterfront Festival. The online exhibition can be explored at thecrystal.org. 

 

Credits

 

Sanky: Art Director

Orlando Mathias: Technical Director

Hana Sutch & Rob York: Project Management Kam Khanalvi

Graphic Design: Daniel Felstead  

Interaction Design: JC Ehle & Chris Mullany

Creative Technology: Blaise Galinier - User Experience