Mishkat Interactive Centre

Project description:

In 2010, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy set out to develop a hands-on science centre that would inspire the next generation of Saudi Arabian Energy Innovators. KCA London was appointed to help plan and design the centre.

Our role spanned masterplanning, experience design, and operations, starting with defining the vision, themes and approach for the centre. We were responsible for all content research, interpretive development and exhibition design, including graphic design and text development. The task involved repurposing a set of existing retail outlets to form the main visitor-facing areas of the centre, for which we worked with our sub-contractors to develop an innovative, bespoke gallery system. 

We also developed the exhibit approach and concepts. This involved balancing the project’s tight timescales with the aspiration to create a unique, localised visitor experience. We did this by combining pre-existing exhibit formats that could be adapted to local content, with a select number of highly innovative, bespoke exhibits and installations, including a bespoke documentary film. 

Alongside exhibition development, we also worked on operational planning, helping to develop Mishkat’s operational strategies and policies, and leading the recruitment and training of the operational team.

The centre was designed and developed in just nine months and was shortlisted for the 2013 Museums & Heritage Awards Best International Project. We continued to support the operation and update of the centre for a further seven years.