Deva Roman Discovery Centre
Focal Studios have completed a major immersive multimedia installation at the Deva Roman Discovery Centre in Chester. The museum itself sits upon thousands of years of Roman history, which is visible to guests through archaeological digs and reconstructions within the museum itself. Focal Studios have made these historic findings more accessible and prominent through projection mapped and interactive installations.
Over 2000 years of history in a 5-minute immersive expeirence
The centrepiece of the exhibits installed by Focal Studios is a large projection mapped archaeological dig, which showcases artefacts and archaeological features from Roman, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval periods.
This installation is designed to serve as both an educational tool for schoolchildren and historians, as well as a narrative-driven depiction of Chester's rich history. The projection mapping highlights the various archaeological features, such as a Roman legionary fortress and bath house walls, as well as Saxon artefacts like an old hut or roundhouse. It also includes features from the post-medieval period, such as an old path that people once walked upon. A surround speaker setup further immerses the audience with a narration, accompanied by a custom-composed musical score and sound scape, with each historic period reflected in the instrumentation and sound effects.
Encouraging visitors to discover and interact upon their journey to Deva
In addition to the main archaeological dig, Focal Studios also projection mapped a smaller dig that can be explored using a touch screen interface. This installation includes layers of historical relevance that visitors can interact with, allowing them to learn about the contents of each layer in their own time. The soundscape accompanying this installation makes visitors feel like they are excavating the site themselves, adding to the immersive experience.
Visitors to the museum can explore the unearthed layers of history using a familiar touch screen interface.
Chester's rich Roman history is evident throughout the city, and visitors to the museum on 2500-year-old Pierpoint Lane can immerse themselves in this ancient past. As they walk through the doors of the museum, they are transported back to the Roman era, able to leave behind the distractions of the modern world and fully experience the history of Roman Deva. To aid this journey back in time, Focal Studios installed a projected hologram of a Roman drummer, who’s beat of the drum was commonly used to keep the oars of the boat in time. This hologram, housed within a reconstruction of a Roman boat, greets visitors and transports them back in time to the era of the Romans. This includes a surround sound audio experience and immersive lighting to simulate the passage through the seas. The hologram of ‘Grappus’, as he’s called by Museum staff, is a welcoming presence, preparing visitors for their journey through the museum and the history of Chester.
Once visitors arrive at the port of Deva, they can experience the splendour of Ancient Rome at the reconstruction of a Roman bath house. The multimedia experience that has been installed within the bath house enables visitors to learn about the tools and equipment used in these luxurious public baths by interacting with a touch-button interface. This installation is designed to be engaging and educational, using humour and anecdotes to encourage interaction and provide a more immersive experience. Visitors are welcomed into the bath house to interact with the projections, allowing them to explore and learn in a hands-on way.
Goodbye Chester, Salvē Deva! (Salvē means hello…)
The drummer, 'Gappus', appears when visitors walk into the boat.
Modern technology revealing an ancient past
In addition to the creative design and storytelling elements of the installations at the Deva Roman Discovery Centre, Focal Studios also used advanced hardware to bring the exhibit to life. The projection mapping was achieved using high-powered laser projectors, which provide bright and detailed images that can be clearly seen even in well-lit environments. These projectors are essential for creating the immersive experiences that are a key part of the exhibit.
The interactive elements of the exhibit were made possible utilising media servers, which are responsible for managing and delivering the audio, video, and other multimedia content used in the installations. These servers allow the installations to be run independently, without the need for constant staff input, ensuring that they are reliable and functional as part of the museum's exhibits.
The largest trench in the Museum uses two media servers to provide simultaneous playback on two surfaces, enriching the audience’s understanding of the story and the archeology beneath them.
One of the key benefits of using media servers in the installations at the Deva Roman Discovery Centre is the ease of use for visitors. The touch screen interface used in the smaller archaeological dig, for example, is intuitive and straightforward, allowing visitors to easily explore the different layers of history represented in the exhibit. This ease of use is essential for creating engaging and interactive experiences that visitors can enjoy without the need for extensive instruction or guidance.
Overall, the hardware used in the installations at the Deva Roman Discovery Centre is a critical component of the exhibit's success. The laser projectors provide the visual impact necessary for the projection mapping, while the media servers enable the interactive elements of the exhibit. Together, these components create a reliable and engaging experience for visitors to the museum, with a focus on ease of use and interactivity.
The installations by Focal Studios at the Deva Roman Discovery Centre provide a unique and engaging experience for visitors, bringing the history of Chester to life through projection mapping and interactive technology. Visitors can learn about the various periods of history represented in the exhibit, and interact with the installations in a way that is both educational and immersive.
The narrative of the projection mapped story highlights the wealth that the Romans bought to Chester, represented by the reconstruction of a public bath house and historic mosaic flooring.
The narrative of the projection mapped story highlights the wealth that the Romans bought to Chester, represented by the reconstruction of a public bath house and historic mosaic flooring.