Immersive Horizon “Breathing Planet” at Thermen & Badewelt Sinsheim is a pioneering 10-minute multisensory journey that merges breathing meditation, art, architecture, and advanced technology into a single, transformative experience. Developed by Thermengruppe Josef Wund collaboratively by the London-based artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast and the design studio atelier522, the installation visualises the invisible rhythms of the Earth and the human body, turning data into an immersive, poetic encounter. Guests are guided to reconnect with their own breath, fostering calm, mindfulness, and inner balance, while simultaneously experiencing the planet’s own pulsation.
At the core of Breathing Planet lies a unique integration of atmospheric wind data provided by NASA. The data, collected between January 28 and February 9, 2020, maps the global movement of air across oceans, forests, and continents. In the installation, this information is transformed into dynamic visualisations that make Earth’s breath perceptible, showing the continuous flow of energy that connects the smallest living beings with the highest mountains. Visitors experience firsthand the principle that every exhale of one organism becomes the inhale of another, from algae to whales, trees to human lungs - a profound, tangible representation of ecological interconnection.
The installation’s technical infrastructure is equally innovative. Housed in a 25 m² immersive space, the room features an 8K screen, a chrome mirror ceiling, and 14 high-fidelity speakers, which work in concert to create a highly immersive visual, auditory, and tactile environment. These elements combine with subtle scent design to stimulate multiple senses simultaneously, giving visitors the perception of fully inhabiting the virtual environment. Reflective surfaces dissolve the boundaries between the body and the space, amplifying the sensation of being part of the world’s breathing systems.
“Breathing Planet” also introduces Box Breathing, a guided meditation technique that synchronizes participants’ breath with the planetary data. Box breathing, also known as four-square breathing, is a simple yet powerful breathing technique that reduces stress, improves concentration, and enhances overall well-being. The name comes from the structure of the exercise. One cycle consists of four equal parts, similar to the sides of a box. You inhale, hold your breath, exhale and hold your breath again—each step lasting the same amount of time. The day-night cycles of Earth and the oscillations of CO₂ in forests are mapped to a 5x5-second human breath cycle, aligning visitors’ inhalations and exhalations with natural rhythms on a global scale.
This harmonization has physiological effects: it calms the nervous system, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and fosters deep relaxation, all while creating an emotional resonance with the planet. The result is a meditation that is not only immersive but also scientifically informed and data-driven.
Ultimately, Immersive Horizon “Breathing Planet” redefines immersive wellness by uniting art, technology, architecture, and data into a holistic experience. It demonstrates how environmental data can be transformed into emotional and physiological resonance, fostering mindfulness, calm, and a profound sense of connection. The space is a testament to the potential of immersive technology to create meaningful, transformative experiences, offering visitors not just a moment of relaxation, but a new dimension of wellbeing.
Partners
- Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF)
- atelier 522 GmbH
