MoMI LAB, Museum of the Moving Image

MoMI LAB stands out because it operates as an evolving "living prototype.” By embracing a rapid, iterative build process, the museum invites the public to participate in the space's ongoing development. Visitors don't merely pass through the exhibits; their engagement dictates how the lab grows and changes. This approach transforms the museum into a collaborative "third space" dedicated to community problem-solving.

Visually and structurally, the project introduces a "glass box" philosophy to demystify emerging technologies. Rather than hiding complex systems inside a "black box," the design intentionally exposes the "guts" of the technology using a modular, extruded T-slot aluminum infrastructure typical of advanced robotics labs.

From displaying raw microcontrollers and Arduinos in a "curio cabinet" to leaving the building's mechanical and electrical systems fully visible, this transparent aesthetic is paired with "Learning Through Looking" novelty displays. By demonstrating concepts like the Pepper's Ghost holographic illusion, the design shows visitors that complex digital outcomes are often built on analog foundations, instilling confidence and generating excitement.

The spatial and educational design layers the learning experience to accommodate users of all skill levels. The modular structures feature a two-tiered system: front-facing "Tinker" stations offer low-stakes, 30-second to two-minute engagements that spark curiosity, which funnel visitors to the back-side "Deep Learning" stations for advanced creative authorship. This phased journey is tied together by an overarching narrative focusing on "Point of View" (POV). Visitors follow a coherent arc that begins with the physical limits of human perception, transitions into machine sensing using physical gyroscopes and gimbals, and culminates in exploring "distributed" perspectives through artificial intelligence.

The interactives also open up access to specialized tools. Rather than simply reading about spatial computing or AI, visitors are empowered to program robotic arms, convert 2D photographs into navigable 3D environments using Gaussian splats and NeRFs, and intuitively "feel the math" of algorithms by playing David OReilly's procedurally generated “Everything” video game. The lab even explores the abstract concept of machine consciousness through physical-computing installations like the open-source "Dream Recorder," which uses custom AI to translate whispered human dreams into unique visual outputs, offering a personalized encounter with technology.