Chambers of Wonder - KOSSMANN.DEJONG

photo: Thijs Wolzak

Chambers of Wonder

Municipal Museum The Hague (NL)

client

Gemeentemuseum Den Haag

location

Municipal Museum The Hague (NL)

completion

From 22 February 2019

surface

1400 m²

status

Permanent

Following partial renovation, Chambers of Wonder (formerly known as Wonder Rooms) will be open to the public once again in the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (The Hague Municipal Museum) from 23 February. The Chambers of Wonder – which has been awarded numerous international prizes – is a permanent, interactive exhibition for young and old. Visitors discover all kinds of things about visual and applied art, fashion and architecture in an accessible and active manner by means of an adventurous museum game. The design for this third renovation was also made by Kossmann.dejong, just like the original version from 2005 and a renovation in 2013. The mini-museum of the central room has made way for a bright yellow labyrinth. The basis for the game concept remains unchanged, but visitors are now challenged to design their own Wonder Room.

Using a tablet – the ‘Wonder Guide’ (Wondergids) – the Chambers of Wonder really come to life. This Wonder Guide, which gives visitors playful game assignments in the 13 thematic Chambers of Wonder, ensures that the visitors experience and learn more. By playing together, it also transforms a visit into a social event. In the central exhibition space, which is decorated with paintings, sculptures, photos, furniture, utensils and fashion items, the players choose their favourite objects. Inspired by this art, the players set to work designing a digital 14th Wonder Room in the new exciting labyrinth, which is located at the heart of the Chambers of Wonder. At the end of the museum game in the labyrinth, this is uploaded in the ‘Wonder World’ (Wonderwereld), which makes for a spectacular audiovisual group experience.

credits

Concept: Gemeentemuseum Den Haag i.c.w. Kossmann.dejong exhibition architects
Spatial design, art direction: Kossmann.dejong exhibition architects
Interactives: Kiss the Frog
AV: Tungsten Pro
Hardware, lighting: Rapenburg Plaza
Build: Brandwacht & Meijer

prijzen

Shortlisted Children in Museums Award - 2015

Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement - 2014

Highly Commended Museums + Heritage Awards - 2014

Shortlisted Design Week Awards - 2014

Nominated Herengracht Industrie Prijs - 2014

Honorable Mention -