Film sequences of the landscape document seasonal changes and impacts by the forces of nature

In Into the Blue, visitors navigate an immersive environmental experience introducing the richness and beauty of the Blue Mountains. FRD preceded the exhibition design process with a six-month period of intensive community consultation and research, in order to develop meaningful interpretive content.

Spatial limitations ensured the need for rigorous planning during the design process, in order to achieve the desired emotional and intellectual impact upon the visitor. Visitor access, lighting, placement of multimedia interventions of varying sizes, and overall thematic flow were carefully tailored to this restricted context.

The exhibition space is dominated by filmic sequences of the surrounding landscape, documenting seasonal changes and impacts by the forces of nature. A large-scale floor map of the Blue Mountains provides geographic context and maximises the interpretive space, while audio pods relay oral histories to the visitor. To ensure the environmental display remains central to the visitor experience, FRD employed other exhibition elements with restraint. Materials and colour are minimalistic in their application, while interactive touchscreen tables and interpretive lecterns are housed within discrete design elements.