The Nature Experience Center De Oostvaarders, located on the Almere side of the Oostvaardersplassen, is the perfect starting point for exploring this unique nature reserve. It is a hotspot surrounded by greenery, where Stichting Stad & Natuur Almere, Staatsbosbeheer, and the municipality of Almere collaborate to create inspiring initiatives. The result is an extraordinary nature experience featuring innovative programming and modern education.
Briefing
More and more people are discovering the natural beauty surrounding the Oostvaardersplassen and National Park Nieuw Land. As a result, the Nature Experience Center underwent a complete transformation in 2024.
The building has more than doubled in size and now features a completely new layout. With an updated restaurant, group rooms, classrooms, an information point, and a shop, there is much to discover.
The client approached us with the request to develop an interactive exhibition concept that would engage visitors and enhance their experience of the natural environment.
Concept
The Oostvaardersplassen are a diverse and complex ecosystem, home to many species and interconnected relationships. We developed two interactive ways for visitors to explore both the local flora and fauna and the migratory birds that rely on this area.
Ecosystem Connections
Visitors explore the relationships between different organisms in the Oostvaardersplassen. The interactive display shows how species interact, including predator-prey relationships, symbiosis, and other connections, highlighting the complexity and interconnectedness of the ecosystem.
Bird Migration
The second exhibit focuses on migratory birds, showing their travel routes and the role of the Oostvaardersplassen in their journeys. Users can adjust timelines and view bird movements in real time or as time-lapse animations, offering insight into their migration patterns.
Together, these exhibits help visitors understand the unique connections within the Oostvaardersplassen ecosystem.
Result
Everything is Connected
The ecosystem of the Oostvaardersplassen is complex and fascinating. On a large touchscreen table, we visualize the relationships between its flora and fauna. The display shows dozens of organisms, from large grazers to tiny mosses, with lines connecting those that interact—whether through predator-prey relationships, symbiosis, parasitism, or other forms of interaction.
Each relationship has its own color or pattern for easy identification. Visitors can explore the screen to learn more, while selected organisms display details such as species, size, and unique characteristics.
Short texts around the table highlight the unique dynamics, diversity, and interconnectedness that make the Oostvaardersplassen an exceptional ecosystem.
Bird Migration
The Oostvaardersplassen are a key stopover for many migratory birds. Where do they come from, and where do they go? On an interactive map, we visualize their migration routes using real-time and time-lapse animations. Some birds are tracked, allowing us to display their exact movements. Users can also adjust the date to filter migration data for specific periods.
A 65-inch 4K touchscreen with a circular cut-out creates a unique interactive display, supported by additional screens providing further information.
A place where adventure, tranquility, and nature come together
A place where adventure, tranquility, and nature come together
