Drents Museum

Inside the Drents Museum in the Netherlands is an impressive new permanent exhibition, brought to life by systems integrator Ata Tech with a comprehensive audiovisual package from Pharos Architectural Controls and audio specialists Genelec.

The exhibition comprises 15 rooms that create a labyrinth of interactive storytelling, revitalising the northeastern province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. Visitors experience an array of unique interactive adventures, from a mammoth hunt to a farmer’s wedding.

The challenge in the Labyrinthia project was implementing a soundscape throughout the museum while ensuring the audio synchronised seamlessly with the lighting in each room. Additionally, museum hosts and tour guides needed to easily mute the sound in each exhibition space during guided tours. This was achieved using the show control capabilities of the Pharos controller integrated with the Genelec system, which enables guides to manage the audio effortlessly via a phone or tablet.

A monitoring system was also installed, allowing Ata Tech to remotely check the functionality of the lighting and audio system. The system can be monitored globally via Pharos Cloud, enhancing maintenance efficiency and reliability from a single remote management solution.

The feedback from the client and visitors alike has been fantastic. The exhibition is entertaining, engaging and educational.
Advanced technologies from Pharos and Genelec were utilised to create the interactive soundscapes and projections that also enable guests to participate in games such as spear throwing and canoeing.

A Pharos Designer LPC (Lighting Playback Controller) created the perfect interface to handle the complex lighting and sound requirements for the exhibition, which includes a full universe of DMX lighting fixtures, as well as control of other AV devices.

Pharos Cloud allowed for remote monitoring, management and adjustment of the multiple systems required to create a seamless, immersive visitor experience. The LPC’s show-control capabilities were integrated with Genelec speakers to create the single-controller system, making start-up, shutdown and maintenance of the installation simpler and more effective.

The additional flexibility provided by Pharos Cloud enables both Ata Tech and the team at the museum to respond quickly to any programming changes or new requirements that arise, without the need for physical intervention. Not only does this ensure optimal operation of all systems, but does so in a way that is user-friendly, allowing museum staff to easily manage the various systems through an intuitive interface.

The choice of Pharos Architectural Controls and its seamless integration with Genelec allows the various technologies at the Drents Museum to be combined in a flexible and efficient way, contributing to a dynamic and immersive experience for visitors.

The integration between systems has created something very special at Drents Museum and demonstrates perfectly the continued versatility of Pharos controllers.