Creative Studio Berlin, the experiential design firm founded by Chris Lange, is celebrating the success of the Deutschlandmuseum in the Themed Entertainment Association Thea Awards. The attraction has won the Museum Attraction, Limited Budget award, and is the first German museum to receive this accolade.
The 2024 Thea Awards were presented at a Gala at Loews Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles on 16 March. They honour exceptional themed entertainment and retail initiatives across the globe, spanning theme parks, exhibitions, museums, and retail spaces.
Groundbreaking approach to history
Deutschlandmuseum in Berlin explores 2,000 years of German history in a groundbreaking 4-D experience, set across two floors. This intimate and inclusive approach to history has attracted positive international attention.
The project was conceived by Robert Rückel, director of the Deutschlandmuseum. Rückel led on the permanent exhibition of the DDR Museum Berlin in 2006, and the Deutschlandmuseum’s sister museum the German Spy Museum in 2018. Creative Studio Berlin was a partner in the project.
Chris Lange, chief creative officer and owner, of Creative Studio Berlin, says: “This was an overwhelming moment to celebrate in Hollywood with over 30 team members who helped bring the Deutschlandmuseum to life.
“I couldn’t be more thankful to every single one of them as they made it happen with their tireless work and passion in just 10 short months. I also can’t thank Robert Rückel enough for trusting Creative Studio Berlin with his idea and great collaboration with his team.”
Deutschlandmuseum aims to provide a journey through the history of Germany with an approach which does not require prior historical knowledge, and in a visit time of approximately one hour. This groundbreaking approach has resulted in an attraction that is well-suited to family groups and tourists.
To achieve this, an immersive approach developed in theme parks and the film industry has been used to quickly engage visitors and whisk them away on a historical adventure. The museum employs entertainment components such as multimedia displays, interactive maps, and artworks to educate visitors about each period. Visitors can easily and playfully discover history through short loops of media.
Advanced immersive experience
Visitors will encounter 12 themes from German history, which range from the battle between the Germanic tribes and Romans in the Teutoburg Forest to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Highly detailed environments, such as a stone castle, a trench filled with sandbags and earth, and a timber-framed printing room, are accompanied by advanced projection, audio recordings, and fragrance to enhance the experience. The spaces are digitally extended using 3D projections.
Shop windows gleam in the Golden Twenties, castles have creaky floors and the scent of gunpowder, forests feel authentic, and Berlin is reduced to ruins in 1945.
Last year, Creative Studio Berlin undertook a further project with Merlin Entertainments to deliver the new Babylon Berlin Bar and Fashion Zone at Madame Tussauds in Berlin. These new areas are inspired by the popular Babylon Berlin TV series. They were designed in-house by Merlin Magic Making in partnership with X-Filme Creative Pool, the production company behind the series and include many details, including physical sets and interactives.
