The aim of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex is to highlight space exploration beyond the moon. The exhibit features incredible artifacts from Boeing, SpaceX, and other notable space exploration companies. In addition to showcasing these artifacts, the exhibit also boasts four immersive media experiences about Mars, the Trappist-1 planetary system, Jupiter and Saturn, and other famous cosmic wonders.
The aim of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex is to highlight space exploration beyond the moon. The exhibit features incredible artifacts from Boeing, SpaceX, and other notable space exploration companies. In addition to showcasing these artifacts, the exhibit also boasts four immersive media experiences about Mars, the Trappist-1 planetary system, Jupiter and Saturn, and other famous cosmic wonders.
Lightswitch set out to gently lead the audience through the Gateway experience, beginning in the main room, which houses the awe-striking artifacts. These artifacts themselves are lit permanently. However, the look of the surrounding room was achieved through the programming of many color-changing lights. Though these lights remain static, their color-changing capacity allowed us to create a highly-specific mood. The adaptability of these lights will also let the exhibit evolve as new artifacts and attractions are introduced in the future.
Our team was also responsible for creating the lighting surrounding the four immersive media experiences within the exhibit – including lighting commands for the entryways, stairs, portals, and ceiling lights leading into the theatres. We programmed the show interface so that each portal is equipped to change color depending on the media experience being shown. When the media is selected, multiple LED elements change color to match the content of the show. For example, the media experience focusing on Mars uses red lighting. As opposed to the relatively simple, static lighting of the main room, this programming process was notably more complex.
Though this project was in the works for a number of years – longer than average for our team – Lightswitch was propelled through the process by our familiarity with the client. Additionally, our extensive experience creating similar immersive exhibits mitigated any snags that might otherwise have come up along the way. Ultimately, our design helped the exhibit come together into an impressive immersive experience, wowing visitors of all ages with the beautiful enormity of space.
photography by Jack Cook
