Been to the future?
AR Time Machine Installations
A cinematic journey to 2050 where storms and floods reshaped National Trust buildings, captivated visitors across six sites and inspired smarter energy choices.
Challenge
I was brought in to shape the customer experience and narrative behind an AR time machine for National Trust visitors. The challenge was to create something cinematic and emotionally resonant, encouraging smarter energy choices, while remaining robust enough to tour across six heritage sites and connect meaningfully with an older audience.
Approach
I worked closely with the producer and wider team to develop narrative concepts spanning space, lighting, UI, and AR storytelling. I built contrasting future scenarios, translating them into clear storyboards to guide production decisions. The experience extended beyond the structure itself, considering placement, signage, and campaign integration to maximise clarity, flow, and engagement.
Outcome
Mirrored time-machine installations were created for six National Trust locations nationwide, with each AR experience tailored to its surrounding heritage building. Every structure combined live feed, CGI, AR, lighting, and interface design to present polluted and rejuvenated futures. The system was designed to be scalable and repeatable, enabling consistent storytelling across diverse locations.
Impact
The installations increased engagement and footfall across participating sites, supported by national and local campaigns. Visitors experienced climate futures in a tangible way, prompting reflection on energy use. The project strengthened collaboration between Smart Energy GB and the National Trust, helping translate complex environmental messaging into an accessible, emotionally grounded public experience.
Rollout of six shinny time-machines
Exploration of time and space
Exploration focused on shaping a time travel narrative for a touring installation, inside and out. The work explored immersive aesthetics that could deliver strong impact within tight budgets, while remaining scalable and repeatable across multiple National Trust sites.
Features of character and play
We leaned into playful future narratives, guided by a time-travelling host. Then practical constraints meant keeping sharp focus on what mattered most, balancing imagination with business and technical realities to deliver a clear experience that scaled cleanly across roll-out.
Reflection
I have a thing for sci-fi and especially enjoy exploring ways to take people to other worlds
Creativity is a balancing act, pushing ambition while being respectful of where the boundaries are
Playing with mirrors is a simple way to create visual impact and connect an installation to it’s environment
