Themed Environments

New Zealand Pavilion World Expo
Shanghai, China, 2009-10

This international showcase for New Zealand, based on the Expo theme of ‘Better Cities, Better Life’, is a highly technological interactive visitor experience.  Working with the highly successful design and technical team from the 2005 Japan World Expo, Toulouse Ltd was engaged to specify and install technical product for video, audio, and interactive components, electrical supply and reticulation, and design the overall theatrical lighting for the Pavilion, outdoor gardens and VIP areas.

The project will be seen by 7 million people, approximately 45,000 per day and offers huge exposure for New Zealand tourism and the key players within the project itself. Toulouse were intimately involved with the project from day one and a vital part of the delivery team.

Ka Mate Interactive Haka
Wellington, New Zealand

Ka Mate is a vibrant interactive Haka experience designed by Story Inc! in conjunction with Toulouse and Gibson Group for Te Runanaga O Toa Rangitira, opening for the 2011 New Zealand Rugby World Cup. Six patrons enter the oval shaped structure and stand before a large screen - they watch their avatar demonstrate the actions of the world renowned Ka Mate Haka. The visitors then become the 'warriors' as they are filmed performing their own interpretation of the challenge.

The footage of their performance is then played back to the 'guest warriors' on an external monitor and is also available for purchase on a USB. This highly original and dynamic interactive is extremely popular both with local New Zealanders and international visitors alike. Twin high definition projectors along with cutting edge Kinect camera technology and custom software are all used to produce this unique and memorable experience.

Ngai Tahu Rock Art Trust Center
Timaru New Zealand

A new interactive visitor centre developed for Timaru, the Ngai Tahu Rock Art Trust Centre opens a window on a previously hidden Taonga of the region. Toulouse Ltd designed the lighting for the centre and were responsible for the specification and installation of all the technological components. The result is an intriguing journey through the local history of Maori Rock Art drawings through, graphic display panels, interactive display screens and carefully positioned projectors, all designed to create an emotive narrative for the visitor. The “cave” features a reclined seat with projection of Maori Rock Art onto the ceiling of the cave to capture the essence and discovery of these rare and precious artefacts. The Seasons Interactive is multi layered touch display unit that explains the local history of how the seasions and food are intertwined. Powered by bespoke software, the interactive is very intuative and guides the user through its many layers and levels.

Rock art center website - www.teana.co.nz

New Zealand Pavilion, 2005 World Expo
Nagoya, Japan

The World Expo in Aichi Japan was opened to the public in March 2005 and ran until September 2005. The pavilion included a large AV presentation, as well as several interactive computer stations. A large cloud was suspended in the ceiling - 'Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud' - from which water fell onto a giant pounamu boulder. The pavilion also housed a full working kitchen and a VIP dining lounge. Toulouse Ltd was contracted as both the technical consultant and lighting designer for the pavilion. The lighting design included the specification of all products, including truss and rigging equipment. The design was theatrical in nature, and included the illumination of the white cloud - which was to appear internally luminous - and several sculptural elements as well as ambient safe-level egress lighting for the public.

Zealandia - Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
Wellington, New Zealand

Zealandia brings the history of New Zealand's native flora and fauna to life through interactive displays, audio and stunning show film projected on a floor to ceiling wall. Toulouse Limited were responsible for specifying, commissioning and installing the lighting, technology and AV within this dynamic experience. A touch screen weather interactive display allows the user to control the lighting and 'wind' patterns over New Zealand by simply moving the weather patterns around on a screen with their hands. A small theatre space provides a shadow interactive where children's shadows are projected onto a screen to interact and play with the projected birds and animals. The lighting in Zealandia creates the ambience of a walk in native forest with dappled light and tree patterns projected onto the carpet and walls whilst allowing the visitor to enjoy the exhibitions in sensitive surrounds. The experience is uniquely New Zealand and very emotive.

Carter Observatory
Wellington, New Zealand

The recently refurbished Carter Observatory is a repository for New Zealand's national Astronomical heritage and showcases educational and interactive displays including touch screen technology. The revamp of the exhibition areas has put hi-tech interactive story telling at the fore of the visitor experience. Toulouse Ltd designed the lighting for the exhibition areas as well as specifying, commissioning and installation of the technical components.

Waihi Gold Discovery Centre
Waihi, New Zealand

The Discovery Centre will be a nationally significant interactive visitor centre in the form of an underground experience, with the building constructed and buried within the land itself. Based around the famous Martha mine and telling the stories of the region, the centre will be exploring the impact that this precious metal has had on the country's economic, social and environmental landscape. Toulouse Ltd will be designing the lighting for the Centre and will be responsible for the commission of all technology - AV lighting and audio along with commission and installation.

Old St Pauls Cathedral
Wellington New Zealand

A small corner of the church is dedicated to telling the stories of the Old St Pauls Cathedral.
Toulouse were very proud to complete the exhibition package with lighting, audio and video.

Hukawai
Franz Joseph, New Zealand

The Hukawai glacier centre and indoor ice-climbing wall opened in 2007 and offers the opportunity to experience the region's landscape, history and uncompromising terrain in a unique indoor environment. Part visitors' centre, part physical challenge, Hukawai is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Toulouse Ltd was commissioned as the technical consultant and supplier, and was engaged to design the lighting for the centre. LED fittings embedded in the ice were the key to giving climbers a sense of the true colour of the glacier.

Meridian Energy Visitors' & Education Centres
South Island, New Zealand

In 2006 Meridian Energy undertook the development of the Visitors' Centres at all of their key sites across New Zealand. The focus of the Centres is to tell the story of the company and to show how Meridian Energy utilise renewable energy sources in the generation of electricity for New Zealand. Toulouse Ltd was brought on board as the technical consultant and lighting designer for all of the Centres, including the specification of all AV, audio, and lighting components.

Te Puia, Te Whakarewarewa
Rotorua, New Zealand

Te Puia, located in the Te Whakarewarewa valley in Rotorua is one of the region's oldest and leading tourist attractions. The site exhibits a pre-European village that gives visitors a taste of life in the region before European settlement. Adjoining the village is a gallery of photos representing the history of the region and it's people. Te Puia underwent a major refurbishment and Toulouse Ltd was commissioned to design the lighting for the experience, as well as to consult on the technical componentry of the refurbishment.

Kiwi Nocturnal House Wellington City Zoo
Wellington, New Zealand

Toulouse Ltd was the lighting consultant and designer of the indoor Kiwi Habitat for the Wellington Zoo. The key challenge of the project was the implementation of reverse cycle - day for night, night for day - lighting. This reverse cycle was to allow the nocturnal animals to be 'awake' during the day, whilst maintaining sufficient solar lighting in the evening for the native forest to continue growing and thriving.