The Attenborough Studio is part of the new Darwin Centre, which opened to the public in September 09, and is probably the most significant expansion at the Natural History Museum since it moved to South Kensington in 1881. The Attenborough Studio is a communication centre where innovation technology, Museum specimens, live animals, spectacular natural history film footage and Museum scientists come together to create a programme of free daily films and live events for the general public.
"IVC Media was the systems integrator and developer which helped bring the Natural History Museum's exciting vision to life," says Ray Harding, managing director, IVC Media. "As a result, the Attenborough Studio has become something different: a totally automated, sophisticated, hybrid broadcast studio and AV presentation space, which can be operated by the Museum's own staff allowing the general public to quite literally 'engage' with scientists at work 363 days of the year."
The "3G" compliant system has been installed to create a flexible, future-proofed studio capable of presenting up to five channels of content at any one time. "The capacity to repurpose content was important as well as creating an interactive environment which would stand up to the rigours of the general public's daily use," continues Harding. "In addition, the system allows all forms of connectivity, so any content can be transmitted both in and out of the space. We can video conference programming or live presentations by scientists into educational establishments or schools anywhere in the world for example. In addition, we can satellite video conference material into the studio from locations as remote as the Amazon Rainforest if required."
"The Natural History Museum had a clear vision of a presentation area that would provide our visitors with a truly unique experience," states Jez Burn, head of special effects at the Natural History Museum. "We wanted to utilize the world's leading technology to create a state-of-the-art communication centre that would lead the way as both an educational facility and a premier visitor attraction. We worked closely with the team at IVC Media to realise our vision.
"The Attenborough Studio in the Darwin Centre now allows the public to share the excitement of discovery in new and innovative way," continues Burn. "The IVC Media team has worked with us to develop this innovative project which sets the standards for the future practice of public education and engagement with science."
The winners of the Museums Heritage awards will be announced at a ceremony on 12 May at Church House in Westminster.
(Jim Evans)
