Creative Studio Berlin, the experiential design firm, is celebrating the opening of a new immersive experience located in the authentic “secret laboratory” of Schloss Augustusburg. This exhibit transports students and young adults to the Renaissance period in Saxony, during the time of Elector August and Anna of Saxony.
“The client’s request was both distinctive and ambitious: to develop an interactive learning experience that explores regional themes within the historic setting of a castle,” says Chris Lange, the project’s executive creative director and owner of Creative Studio Berlin.
“During my initial site visit, I was profoundly inspired by the castle’s architectural grandeur and the depth of history etched into its walls. This experience shaped a bold creative vision — to merge the immersive storytelling techniques of theme parks with advanced technology, resulting in a truly unparalleled educational experience.”
Two narratives, one location
The attraction features historically accurate reconstructions of original castle rooms, enhanced by expert input from historians and scientists.
There are two distinct, interchangeable narratives set in one location. Firstly, in Elixir of Life, guests don robes, meet Anna’s silhouette, decode an encrypted herbal recipe, and craft a personal medicinal elixir using period tools and ingredients. This experience is led by Anna’s fascination with alchemy and herbal science.
Secondly, in Treasure of the Earth, visitors are guided by animated projections of August and Agricola as they analyse ore samples, witness smelting demonstrations, and cast their own commemorative coin using a Pepper’s Ghost illusion. This is driven by August’s obsession with mining and metallurgy.
“It’s been a great collaboration, from developing the first idea to the final execution,” says Patrizia Meyn, managing director of ASL Schlossbetriebe. “I’d like to thank the entire team. We’re excited about the two incredible workshop experiences we can now offer at Schloss Augustusburg. The Secret Laboratory is something truly unique, and our guests are already loving it.
A new model for location-based education
The project involved developing interactive challenges such as scent‑based puzzles, concealed recipe fragments, accurate measurement tasks, ore testing, and activities like distillation or smelting. The experience utilises dynamic lighting, multi-layered soundscapes, and subtle effects to ensure smooth transitions between the two narratives without changing the physical set.
The team developed the attraction within strict time and budget limits, aiming to enhance flexibility and reusability for diverse audiences, ranging from school groups to adult learners.
This resulted in a pioneering model of location-based education: a single historic site presenting various transformative, multisensory experiences that make history vivid and emotionally impactful.
“One of the biggest challenges in designing the immersive experience at Schloss Augustusburg was balancing a tight budget with strict monument protection requirements, all while staying true to the 16th century and German Renaissance,” says Niels Reinhard, creative director at THE ROOM Laboratories.
“We had to simulate processes like silver smelting, creating convincing illusions within the restricted space. These constraints drove us to develop creative, seamless solutions that integrated perfectly into the historical setting.”
Creative Studio Berlin conceived the overarching concept, while the client crafted the educational narrative. THE ROOM Laboratories delivered concept development, technology integration, and content, with The Art Team providing wall and ceiling mural art.
Last month, Creative Studio Berlin unveiled Mission Nuclear, a redesigned laser maze experience at the German Spy Museum in Berlin. This updated attraction combines Cold War-era intrigue with contemporary interactive design. The immersive, story-driven spy experience aims to elevate the laser maze attraction while integrating with the museum’s overall theme.