The Wadden Sea Visitor Centre Cuxhaven is seeking, as part of a two-stage tender process, a concept and plans for an innovative, mobile education and information station. This is intended to showcase the centre’s work regionally and beyond over a period of several years, whilst also appealing to new target groups.
The tender covers design and planning services for the realisation of the mobile exhibition across all service phases in accordance with the HOAI. VISUELL is one of three design agencies invited to the second stage, where they will present their conceptual sketch, cost estimate and studio presentation in Cuxhaven. This entry remains a tender project and demonstrates how VISUELL translates a comprehensive scope of works into an atmospheric scenography and communication concept.
At the heart of our concept is the aim to capture the spirit of the Wadden Sea – its tranquillity and vastness, the wind and the tides – through a modern, natural, high-quality and dynamic approach. We aim to create an atmosphere that can be experienced emotionally and through narrative. The content and aesthetics of the installation are intended to reflect the Wadden Sea and transport it to new locations. This generates attention and engages people.
We are developing the WattBz mobil as an open pop-up format for markets, trade fairs, town festivals, schools, museums and public spaces. Visitors approach out of their own curiosity, enter at different points and experience environmental education in a mobile space that provides orientation whilst remaining open. Our design focuses on horizontal lines, curved table modules and understated bench elements. These reflect the vastness of the coast, remain abstract and allow the landscape to create a mood. A tall flag catches the wind and makes WattBz mobil visible from afar. The basic module showcases the landscape zones of mudflats, salt marshes and heathland. Supplementary thematic modules explore topics in greater depth, such as flora, fauna, bird migration or the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The robust modular system comprises numerous analogue interactions, hands-on exhibits and a few digital options that make knowledge tangible and bring it to life.
Accessibility is a key feature of the design, thanks to the open layout, wheelchair-accessible tables, graphics with high colour contrast and easily legible typography. Clear texts ensure accessibility for people with different educational backgrounds and make the content accessible to children, young people and adults. The entire installation, comprising at least twelve different modules of varying sizes and types, can be stowed away in a small van. Two people can assemble and dismantle the modules without any specialist knowledge. Durable, weather-resistant, recyclable and resource-efficient materials, detachable connections and interchangeable graphic panels ensure robust use and the ability to update the content.
The mobile user experience we have designed combines knowledge, atmosphere and the desire to visit the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the Wadden Sea and the Wadden Sea Visitor Centre in Cuxhaven.
