Modern Experiment Room at the Natural History Museum Vienna

The Customer

The Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM Vienna) has more than 30 million collection objects and is one of the most important natural history museums in the world. Next to the preservation of the impressive collection and dedicated exhibitions, basic research in various areas of Earth, Bio and Human Sciences takes place at the museum.

Project Summary

ON-AIR / LEYARD were invited to increase the visual attractiveness and identity of the newly built DECK 50 with a LED video wall in panorama-style. The aim was to engage and bring visitors and viewers in touch with NHM's high-profile scientific content in the best possible way.

The Objective, The Challenge

How is something new created? What creates enthusiasm, which is breeding ground for something new?
Under the historic roof of The Natural History Museum in Vienna and together with the Ars Electronica Futurelab, the 7reasons Medien GmbH and a number of contractors and partners a complete new and unique space was to be created at and with DECK 50 suite.

The Solution

DECK 50 is a combination of a modern laboratory, a stage with a wide panorama-style LED video wall and an open meeting zone with grandstand and multimedia furniture.

The virtual installation of the Ars Electronica Futurelab enables visitors to dive into immersive worlds. A scanning station, build into a large mobile drawing table, allows the integration of active designs into virtual worlds, which become directly visible on the LED video wall. A high-res infrared depth image camera captures visitors and allows them to immerse themselves into an augmented reality world and interact with dinosaurs on the LED wall.

The ambitious strategy and goal of DECK 50 was and is to invite and encourage the society to discover, to try out, to acquire knowledge, discuss and ask questions. Furthermore DECK 50 offers a platform for various workshops. DECK 50 is a lively place which facilitates the intense exchange of knowledge and ideas between visitors, curators, scientists and the Museum staff, involving all of them in the scientific and research process.

The Result

NHM Vienna opened the DECK 50 installation in October 2021 to the public and the response has been phenomenal since. The 10.5x1.9m panorama-style LED video wall from LEYARD provides sharp and bright images and is a brilliant stage for NHM´s scientific & virtual content. The 20m² LED video wall extends over approx. 2/3 of the showroom, creating a seamless background and increases the visual clarity and aesthetics of the DECK 50 suite. An additional 2.9x1.9m LED video wall, Transparent LCD displays and interactive touch screens complement the multimedia installation at DECK 50.

"We are pleased with the walls and most certainly pleased with the entire ON-AIR / LEYARD team. Working with the crew has been a pleasure."

NHM Vienna

The Solution Provider

ON-AIR Broadcast & Multimedia Solutions GmbH based in Vienna/Austria is a value-added solution provider & system integrator for digital LED / LCD display & video wall solutions. The strong professional video and broadcast background enables ON-AIR to offer to local clients best in class digital display solutions and services.

The Manufacturer

LEYARD Europe s.r.o. based in Záborské, Slovakia is the European branch of LEYARD OPTOELECTRONICS, a global leader in the design, production, distribution and service of digital LED / LCD display & video wall solutions worldwide. With production facilities in Presov/Slovakia and Reutlingen/Germany, LEYARD is able to offer customers in the region products "Made in Europe".