National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

Unloop has developed a proposal for The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo, the first museum in the Arab world dedicated to Egypt's ancient civilization. Featuring a collection of over 50,000 artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the present day, the museum aims to humanize its displays and preserve Egypt's rich heritage. The museum positions itself as more than just a repository of artifacts, striving to bring Egyptian history to life through vibrant cultural, artistic, and scientific contexts.
After exploring the Main Exhibition Hall and the Royal Mummies Hall, where visitors are primarily confronted with a series of artifacts and mummies of pharaohs and queens, we have identified an opportunity to develop a more immersive, digital experience. Our goal was to create a new area that seamlessly integrates with the existing exhibits, rather than serving as an appendage or disconnected component.
Likewise, our approach aims to enhance visitor engagement with the exhibits through modern technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and immersive installations. Through our proposed solutions, we aim to transform NMEC into an interactive journey through time, fostering deeper connections with Egypt's heritage and culture.

As an alternative to the traditional museum visit, this mobile application offers visitors an innovative experience combining a variety of modern technologies.

FEATURES:
1. Navigation through the floor plan.
2. Distribution of audio points of interest throughout the exhibition.
3. Virtual characters serve as personal guides in Augmented Reality.
4. Realistic 3D Content.
5. Real-time Reconstruction of archaeological treasures using AR.
6. Interaction with content via the Augmented Reality feature, with the possibility to manipulate it.

Visitors are guided through the exhibition by virtual characters representing different social groups of the time, such as pharaohs, soldiers, craftsmen, and slaves, each providing a unique perspective on various subjects.
Within the AR feature, characters come to life, offering realistic animations and interactions.

By pointing a smartphone at objects within the exhibition, users can activate AR points of interest and explore archaeological treasures in a new dimension through real-time reconstruction.
Detailed information and untold stories about each object enhance the immersive experience. This approach transforms the museum visit into a dynamic journey through time, engaging users in a captivating exploration of history and culture.

This solution offers an immersive experience combining screens, sound systems, sensors, and mirrors.
Within a circular room, visitors experience a mesmerizing representation of infinite space, where past, present, and future coexist. Inspired by the concept of waves transforming into energy, akin to the Nile's influence on Egypt, this space reacts to visitors' movements. The central feature, an Infinite Mirror, symbolizes a portal to other dimensions, enhancing the immersive journey. Reactive visuals and a whimsical soundscape deepen the experience, while top-and-down mirrors create illusions of depth. This installation offers a unique interaction with eternity, merging art and technology to evoke wonder and exploration.

This interactive solution motivates visitors to explore Egypt's evolution across different periods within augmented reality technology. Screens installed around the room provide a panoramic 360º view of Cairo, showcasing its historical and future developments.
Visitors are invited to discover the city from another perspective, uncovering its rich stories and cultural wealth.
This solution provides access to a database of historical and archaeological treasures, featuring detailed information and interactive elements in 3D. This experience is aimed to boost the number of visits, offering insights into Egypt's architecture, culture, art, and religion.

This solution serves as the memorable conclusion of the visit. Climbing up a ramp leading to an upper space visitor finalizes his experience with video mapping projected on top of the pyramidal ceiling creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for visitors.
Through video and audio content, visitors experience alternating scenarios: a journey to the eternal world, and various stories of key historical characters brought to life to highlight their significance in the nation's history.
This immersive space serves as a bridge between ancient times and the future, conveying the traditions and beliefs of the Egyptian nation in a dynamic and engaging manner.

CONCEPT & DIRECTION – Helder da Rocha Pereira
CREATIVE DIRECTION – Arina Zhumasheva
3D PRODUCTION – Antonino Atanasio
DESIGN – Arina Zhumasheva, Marta Amorim