Client
Event / Trinity College Dublin
Location
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Client
Event / Trinity College Dublin
Location
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Project Details
Preserving a Cultural Icon
The Old Library at Trinity College Dublin is one of Ireland’s most visited attractions, housing many of the nation’s most treasured items, including the Book of Kells, the magnificent Long Room, and the Trinity College harp, the national symbol of Ireland. However, due to significant conservation challenges, the Old Library has been temporarily closed for major redevelopment, leaving the university without one of its most iconic touristic assets. To fill this significant loss, The Book of Kells Experience has been created, a brand new digital exhibition, featuring the Long Room Reimagined, an immersive experience created by NOVAK.
Project Details
Preserving a Cultural Icon
The Old Library at Trinity College Dublin is one of Ireland’s most visited attractions, housing many of the nation’s most treasured items, including the Book of Kells, the magnificent Long Room, and the Trinity College harp, the national symbol of Ireland. However, due to significant conservation challenges, the Old Library has been temporarily closed for major redevelopment, leaving the university without one of its most iconic touristic assets. To fill this significant loss, The Book of Kells Experience has been created, a brand new digital exhibition, featuring the Long Room Reimagined, an immersive experience created by NOVAK.
The Brief
Bridging the Gap
To ensure the continued engagement of visitors during the Old Library's closure, Trinity College Dublin sought to create a captivating interim exhibition. "The Book of Kells Experience" was conceived as a way to preserve the library’s connection to the public and highlight the importance of its treasures. NOVAK was commissioned to design an immersive installation that would celebrate the rich history of the Long Room and its future potential, bridging the gap until the library’s reopening.
The Brief
Bridging the Gap
To ensure the continued engagement of visitors during the Old Library's closure, Trinity College Dublin sought to create a captivating interim exhibition. "The Book of Kells Experience" was conceived as a way to preserve the library’s connection to the public and highlight the importance of its treasures. NOVAK was commissioned to design an immersive installation that would celebrate the rich history of the Long Room and its future potential, bridging the gap until the library’s reopening.
Our Response
Reimagining the Long Room
In collaboration with exhibition design studio Event, NOVAK brought the vision of "The Long Room Reimagined" to life. This immersive experience faithfully recreated the architectural grandeur of the Long Room through an innovative set build, which was then transformed using advanced projection mapping and multi-channel audio. Visitors were guided on a journey through the library’s storied history, iconic artifacts, and a vision for its future, with every surface of the installation coming alive through intricate visuals. For the musical component, NOVAK teamed up with long-time associate Ed Carter, who crafted a stunning score using traditional compositions sourced from Trinity College’s archives. These pieces, performed by renowned harpist Siobhán Armstrong on her replica of the iconic Trinity College harp, accompanied a newly scripted narration, blending history and innovation into a powerful multisensory experience.
Our Response
Reimagining the Long Room
In collaboration with exhibition design studio Event, NOVAK brought the vision of "The Long Room Reimagined" to life. This immersive experience faithfully recreated the architectural grandeur of the Long Room through an innovative set build, which was then transformed using advanced projection mapping and multi-channel audio. Visitors were guided on a journey through the library’s storied history, iconic artifacts, and a vision for its future, with every surface of the installation coming alive through intricate visuals. For the musical component, NOVAK teamed up with long-time associate Ed Carter, who crafted a stunning score using traditional compositions sourced from Trinity College’s archives. These pieces, performed by renowned harpist Siobhán Armstrong on her replica of the iconic Trinity College harp, accompanied a newly scripted narration, blending history and innovation into a powerful multisensory experience.
It was such an exciting journey working with NOVAK on the recent Book of Kells Experience. The team really understood what we as collaborators and the client needed – and we ended up taking visitors out of the everyday by producing something truly magical. We were particularly impressed with the attention to detail throughout. When it is obvious a creative team cares, then you can be sure visitors will too. NOVAK create experiences that are really cool, look great, and work every day.
Jack Smurthwaite
Senior Content Designer - Event
Credits
Long Room reimagined by NOVAK Produced in partnership with Event
Music direction and production – Ed Carter
Harpist – Siobhán Armstrong
Harp recording studio technician – Anna Rose Garvey
Trinity bell recordings – Andrew Bonehill and Ellen Jane Kruger
With thanks to Enda Bates
Technical installation by Rockbrook AV
——————————-
Special thanks to ISO Design, the team at Trinity College Dublin and all our other collaborators.
——————————-
Installation video by NOVAK
Photos by Ste Murray
Credits
Long Room reimagined by NOVAK Produced in partnership with Event
Music direction and production – Ed Carter
Harpist – Siobhán Armstrong
Harp recording studio technician – Anna Rose Garvey
Trinity bell recordings – Andrew Bonehill and Ellen Jane Kruger
With thanks to Enda Bates
Technical installation by Rockbrook AV
——————————-
Special thanks to ISO Design, the team at Trinity College Dublin and all our other collaborators.
——————————-
Installation video by NOVAK
Photos by Ste Murray
Other projects
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
Immersive Visitor Attraction, London
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
Immersive Visitor Attraction, London
Installation and Exhibition
Tidal
Experiental Interpretation , Newcastle upon Tyne
Installation and Exhibition
Tidal
Experiental Interpretation , Newcastle upon Tyne